SMART exchange

Protected area staff from four Central Asian countries met at the Irgyz-Turgay Nature Reserve in Kazakhstan to exchange ideas on modern approaches to biodiversity monitoring.

At the end of September, a three-day exchange of experiences on strengthening digital conservation practices in protected areas in Central Asia took place in Kazakhstan at the Irgiz-Turgay State Nature Reserve. Representatives of protected areas, government agencies and NGOs from four Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) met in the Kazakh steppe. For the first time, representatives of the three bordering protected areas Ustyrt (Kazakhstan), Gaplankyr (Turkmenistan) and South Ustyrt (Uzbekistan) also met here: A historic meeting that should mark the beginning of a future closer cooperation in transboundary nature conservation work between the countries.

The rangers and managers of the Central Asian protected areas exchanged views on the challenges and also progress in monitoring species in the very diverse ecosystems of Central Asia. During the meeting, they also presented a practical example of the exemplary implementation of the modern and digitally supported monitoring system SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool). In the Irgyz-Turgay Nature Reserve, this data collection through smartphones and subsequent digital data analysis has already been implemented in an exemplary manner. As a result of the project, it is planned to introduce SMART in the South Oustyrt National Park in Uzbekistan. And: Despite harsh weather conditions, the Central Asian partners took part in an unforgettable expedition during which more than 10,000 saiga antelopes were counted.

The exchange was organised jointly with the ACBK (Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan) and GIZ as part of the project " Strengthening digital conservation practices in desert protected areas". It is part of the regional project “Ecologically oriented regional development in the Aral Sea region” (EcoAral) implemented on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), in Uzbekistan (Karakalpakstan).

The motivation has been sown and the Succow Foundation will continue to actively support the implementation in Uzbekistan.

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The vastness of the steppe. The vastness of the steppe. Countless saiga antelopes can still roam freely here. Countless saiga antelopes can still roam freely here. More than 10,000 saiga antelopes were counted. More than 10,000 saiga antelopes were counted. Training of the SMART application in practice. Training of the SMART application in practice. Workshop on the introduction of SMART. Workshop on the introduction of SMART. Historic! First meeting of protected area staff from three Ustyrt countries, the beginning of transboundary cooperation. Historic! First meeting of protected area staff from three Ustyrt countries, the beginning of transboundary cooperation.

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