Session of the Working Group the Ramsar Convention was held in Ashgabat on the threshold of the World Wetlands Day, which is observed on February 2.
The Wetlands Convention, which has an international significance as a habitat of water birds, has been signed in Ramsar, Mazandaran Province, Iran on February 2, 1971.In 1997, the signing date was announced as the World Wetlands Day, which focuses the attention of the world community on the necessity of careful treatment of water birds habitat and importance of wetlands as unique ecosystems.
In 2009, Turkmenbashy Bay was included to the Ramsar List and since that moment, Turkmenistan is full members of the Convention according to its regulations. The Working Group has been formed up for its activity on the Ramsar territory of the country.
The session of the Working Group in Ashgabat with participation of representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment Protection, Union of Hunting and Fishery Associations was held in the office of the Working Group, which has been opened in the building of the National Institute of Desert, Flora and Fauna.
Chairman of the Coordination Committee of the Ramsar Regional Initiative for Central Asia (RRI-CA), Doctor of Biology, Professor Eldar Rustamov made a report on activity and international cooperation for protection of resources of wetland natural complexes and their components.
The reporter highlighted that being one of the initiators of development of the RRI-CA, Turkmenistan has accumulated positive experience in protection and management of facility of the Ramsar List Turkmenbashy Bay. These aspects will be included into the agenda of international seminar, which is to be held on the base of Hazar State Reserve this year.
Undr the RRI-CA, Turkmen specialists will take part in express analysis of ecological characteristics and ecosystem services, mapping and creation of database of the wetlands in Central Asian countries.
This year, National Working Group will start work in nomination of Turkmen Lake, South Cheleken Bay with Ogurjaly Island, Kelif Lakes including Kelif Ornithological Reserve, 15 Years of Independence Water Reserve (formerly Zeyid Water Reserve) as well as Gurtly, Sultandag and Sarykamysh Lakes into the Ramsar List.
These wetlands of the country meet one of the most important criteria for inclusion into the list of protected territories by the conditions for hibernation, migration and nesting of more than 20,000 water birds during one or several life cycles. Expert assessment of their conditions and management capabilities of wetlands.
Presentation of scientific collection “Natural Protection of Turkmenistan”, which was published under aegis of Natural Protection Association of the country, has been presented at the session of the Working Group.