Zaamin Mountains to be Added to the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List

According to the Uzbek Ministry of Ecology, Uzbekistan has prepared documents to nominate the Zaamin Mountains for the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List.

The Zaamin Mountains may become the first site in Uzbekistan to receive such a status. Previously, the list only included transboundary sites such as the Western Tien Shan and the Turan Deserts.

Zaamin National Park is situated in Jizzak Oblast and covers an area of 21 thousand hectares, with half of the area covered by forests. The park is home to rare juniper species and red-listed animals, including the Turkestan lynx, the Tien Shan brown bear, the black stork, and the bearded eagle.

Unesco will review the park’s nomination for the World Natural Heritage List over two years.

Kursiv Uzbekistan reports that UNESCO has raised concerns about constructing hydroelectric power plants on the Chatkal and Ugam rivers.