Under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, each day of the era of the Revival of the new epoch of the powerful state is marked by joyful events, increasing the pride of compatriots for their native Homeland, Hero-Arkadag and Arkadagly Hero Serdar. One of them was the publication in the year of the "Fount of Wisdom Magtymguly Fragi" of the 4th edition of the Red Data Book of Turkmenistan, timed to coincide with World Environment Day, celebrated on June 5.

The Red Data Book plays a key role in the protection and enrichment of Turkmenistan's unique nature, the fundamental scientific study of natural resources, ensuring environmental well-being, and is also a valuable scientific work on the flora and fauna of the native land.

On the occasion of the publication of the 4th edition of the Red Data Book of Turkmenistan, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov sent a welcoming Address to readers, authors and publishers.

As noted in the message of the head of state, love for nature is inextricably linked with the mentality, life, everyday life, traditions and culture of the Turkmen people. Our ancestors formed their own ways and principles of harmonious coexistence with beautiful nature – the source of life. These humane traditions of our people, originating from the depths of centuries, having become a part of their life, are of great importance. Such an attitude towards the careful preservation of the environment, coupled with various measures to find correct solutions to global issues of humanity, is currently acquiring a new meaning and further developing.

In this regard, it should be noted that under the leadership of the President of Turkmenistan, large-scale work is currently being carried out to preserve and enrich the beautiful nature of our country, its rich flora and fauna.

The Red Data Book of Turkmenistan, accurately reflecting the state of flora and fauna, is an important indicator of the quantitative change in the country's biodiversity. As an officially adopted document, it provides information on the number in nature, distribution, status and protection measures of rare, endangered and threatened species of wild plants and animals.

The Red Data Book is developed in accordance with national legislation and international conventions and agreements. The plant and animal species included in it are protected by the state. So far, the Red Data Book of Turkmenistan was published three times – in 1985, 1999 and 2011.

After the publication of the 3rd edition of the Red Data Book, the legislation of Turkmenistan in the field of ecology was updated, and new laws were developed taking into account international standards, and existing ones were revised and updated.

To prepare the 4th edition of the Red Data Book of Turkmenistan, an Intersectoral Group was created, consisting of zoological and botanical subgroups. The group included scientists and specialists from the Ministries of Agriculture, Environmental Protection, the Academy of Sciences and other relevant ministries and industry departments. In addition to members of the Intersectoral Group, botanists and zoologists were also involved in the preparation of the Red Data Book.

Information from the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and from the previously published Red Data Book of the country was used in the preparation of the 4th edition of the Red Data Book of Turkmenistan.

In the 4th edition of the Red Data Book of Turkmenistan, the criteria of the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), first published in 1994, were taken as the basis for determining the national status of species. Particular attention is paid to species that are globally threatened with extinction, endangered and near threatened.

The description of a species in the Book provides information about its level, importance for the preservation of the gene pool, distribution, habitat, population and change trends, main limiting factors, animal breeding and plant cultivation, conservation measures, recommendations for research, literature used and other sources.

Color photographs of the species and a map of its distribution are also presented.

The publication of the 4th edition of the Red Data Book of Turkmenistan became another evidence of our state's commitment to preserving and enhancing the flora and fauna of the country.