Sh. Karryeva, Expert of the Working Group on the implementation of the Ramsar Convention in Turkmenistan

National experts of the Working Group on the implementation of the Ramsar Convention in Turkmenistan, together with employees of state nature reserves, representatives of public organizations, conducted monitoring of wetlands (wetlands). The monitoring was organized on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Ramsar Convention, which was celebrated on February 2.

These days, all parties to the Convention have visited wetlands, registered birds, conducted various information and educational campaigns and other activities related to the conservation and rational use of bird habitats.

This year, the environmental campaign has been held under the motto: "Wetlands and Water" - symbolizing the importance of natural reservoirs as sources of fresh water. Representatives of the Kopetdag State Nature Reserve, the Public Organization for the Protection of Nature of Turkmenistan (OOOPT) and the TV channel "Turkmenistan" took part in the events. Experts registered birds inhabiting the Altyn kol lake (Gurtli), the Ahal Lake (Bada) and the Kopetdag reservoir - potential reservoirs that can be nominated for the Ramsar List.

These reservoirs are of particular importance as habitats for waterfowl. The Altyn kol Lake (Gurtli) and the Kopetdag reservoir (Kopetdaghovudan) have been included in the list of the Important Bird and Biodiversity Area. In particular, the Altyn kol Lake (Gurtli) located in the Ruhabat etrap, the Ahal velayat, 5 kilometers northwest of Ashgabat, is an urban wetland and a recreational zone. It is located along the flight route of bird flocks in the northern foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains. In winter, more than 20,000 waterfowl and semiaquatic birds, including the cormorant, coot, red-nosed duck, crested duck, mallard among others gather there.

The Kopetdag reservoir (Kopetdaghovudan), located on the foothill plain of the Central Kopetdag Mountains in the Geokdepe etrap, Ahal velayat, is also located on the flight route in the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains. Waterfowl winter in the reservoir from mid-November to early February. Their total number reaches more than 20,000 individuals.

The registration of birds on the territory of the lakes will make it possible to determine the exact number of all birds in a certain area (water area) in order to obtain an objective assessment. These figures do not imply any additional statistical processing. They are suitable for quantifying notable species that inhabit defined and well-defined habitats.

Young bird watchers of the Amu Darya River

Aziza Beshimova, WWF Project Expert

A group of students from school No. 27 in Dovletli Etrap, Lebap Velayat, Turkmenistan marked the World Day of Wetlands by acquaintance with the world of birds. Young naturalists spent this day on the banks of the Amu Darya River, observing feathered flocks. With the help of a field guide, they learned to recognize many birds inhabiting the banks of this deep river, found out their scientific names, and record the number of birds living in coastal areas.

The world of birds in this section of the mighty river of Central Asia turned out to be quite diverse. Schoolchildren had a chance to meet a white wagtail, marsh harrier, great egret, mallard, gull, crested lark, dove, magpie, rook, gray crow, finch and other birds. A rare success for birdwatchers - observers of the world of birds - was a meeting with an osprey - a feathered predator listed in the Red Book of Turkmenistan.

On the eve of the World Wetlands Day, young explorers made an exciting journey to bird habitats. The tour was dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Ramsar Convention, the main mission of which they were told about during classes.