83% of all agricultural land in the Kyrgyz Republic falls on grazing lands, on the territory of which you can find many other natural resources, in particular, forests, medicinal herbs, fields for collecting honey, wild animals, mineral resources and others. These resources provide an important and timely addition to the main livelihoods of local communities. However, the inconsistency of the regulatory system, which today does not take into account the norms of customary law, is the source of many conflicts between different groups of users. As a result, there is a situation of unsettled relations between different users in relation to pasture resources, which leads to the predatory use of these resources and, ultimately, to their degradation.
Years of implementation: 2008
Location: aiyl district Kok-Oyrok, Chui region, aiyl district Aknazarov, Talas region and aiyl district Kashka-Suu, Osh region
Donor: World Bank
Objective of the project
To study the state of the natural pasture resources sector in Kyrgyzstan, the RDF conducted a research project, the main goal of which was to qualitatively assess the de jure and de facto situation in the access and use of various pasture resources by different user groups. In particular, as a result of the study, a situation was identified for the competing and parallel use of various resources and recommendations were made for legislative and institutional changes aimed at stimulating sustainable economic development and reducing poverty in rural areas.
Location of the project
The project research was conducted in three communities:
- aiyl district Ak-Nazarov, Bakai-Ata district, Talas region;
- aiyl district Kashka-Suu, Chon-Alai district, Osh region;
- aiyl district Kok-Oyrok, Kemin district, Chui region.
Project research approaches and methods
The main research approach was based on the synthesis of various qualitative trips. In particular, it included the participation of local researchers as the main tool for studying the characteristics of customary law around natural resources. In addition, methods such as participatory needs assessment (PRA), extensive group discussions and various situation analyses were used.
The main activity of the project
The study of the project included the following activities:
- Involvement of local researchers in the study of pasture resources. Selected local researchers took an active part in collecting data and information on the natural resources existing in their aiyl okmotu, the state of these resources and the population's access to natural resources.
- Preparation of a joint natural resource map with the assistance of local consultants and researchers. In the three communities under study, natural resource maps were compiled and developed, with detailed descriptions of locations and features of their growth.
- Establishment of a Community Natural Resource Management Working Group. As a result of the project, the Community Natural Resource Management Working Group was established, which monitored and assessed natural resources, and tracked important institutional changes in issues related to natural resources and their use.
Stakeholders of the project
The study involved various stakeholders at different levels. In particular, representatives of the State Agency for Environmental Protection and Forestry (SAEP and LH), the Department of Pastures under the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Processing Industry, the private sector (professional associations, pharmaceutical companies), ayil okmotu, NGOs were involved in the research process. and local communities.