Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
February 17, 2026 Climate and environment
Today, when the planet celebrates World Sustainable Tourism DayKyrgyzstan celebrates the snow leopard, or irbis, which has become a symbol of pristine nature, national pride, and a key to the development of environmentally and socially responsible tourism.
In many countries, including India, Mongolia, China, and Pakistan, snow leopard watching has become a popular ecotourism activity. Inspired by these examples, in 2023, the Snow Leopard Foundation in Kyrgyzstan, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), successfully implemented the project "Snow Leopard Tours: Key to Conserving Local Nature."
The project became the foundation for the development of ethical tourism in the Sarychat-Ertash Nature Reserve. It included training sessions for rangers and residents of nearby communities, as well as the purchase of necessary equipment: from tents and yurts to solar panels and pack bags. All this made it possible to create comfortable and environmentally friendly conditions for wildlife observation.
Today, such tours run from mid-autumn to late winter. In the two seasons since the project's completion, approximately 10-12 groups (approximately 60-70 people) have visited the reserve and adjacent areas, including the Zhangart and Ak-Shyirak tracts.
"Unlike other excursions, our snow leopard tours take into account the capacity of the reserve and the local environment. Groups are limited to six people, and the reserve is not visited by multiple groups at the same time," notes Zhumabay uulu Kubanychbek, Director of the Snow Leopard Foundation in Kyrgyzstan.
Starting in 2025, every tourist will contribute $100 to the local community's conservation fund. These funds support rangers, develop infrastructure, and promote conservation. With a steady flow of tourists, the contribution is expected to reach $7,000 per year—a significant benefit for remote regions of the country.
Each tour generates between three and four thousand dollars in revenue, with services provided exclusively by local residents: rangers, guides, cooks, and guesthouse owners.
It's important to note that this involves careful and unobtrusive observation of wild animals in their natural environment. On such excursions, tourists strive to capture rare glimpses of snow leopards, as well as other predators such as wolves, bears, Pallas's cats, and large scavenger birds. Predators such as wolves and foxes, previously considered "harmful" in this area, have become valuable and attractive sightings on these tours.
The excursions allowed the reserve to improve its infrastructure while simultaneously raising the level of service. Rangers and local guides have become more experienced, and statistics show that the likelihood of spotting a snow leopard during a tour has reached 90 percent—a figure that is unique even by global standards.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.