Recently, the opening ceremony of the modern and interactive visitor center of the Gissar State Mountain-Juniper Reserve took place in Shakhrisabz city of Kashkadarya region, in the presence of Marina Walter, Deputy Regional Director of UNDP in Europe and CIS. Ms. Walter, who arrived in Uzbekistan on an official visit for the first time, said in her welcoming speech: “It is my hope that through information and knowledge sharing platforms of the visitor center, through its exhibits, publications, and regular discussions, children and communities will acquire a better understanding of the ecosystems’ value, which supply oxygen, clean air and water, pollination of plants, pest control, wastewater treatment and many other vitally important services.”
The opening of the visitor center aims to contribute to the materialization of the common goal of UNDP and the State Committee on Ecology of Uzbekistan – environmental awareness of the importance of biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. The main exhibition area welcomes visitors with information stands about key wild animals and ecosystems of the reserve; threats faced by local wildlife; details on the inspectors’ work, including important ongoing research, carried out by scientists.
Jusipbek Kazbekov, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee on Ecology and Environmental Protection, Marina Walter, Deputy Regional Director of UNDP in Europe and CIS, Matilda Dimovska, UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan and Akrom Sulaymonov, governor of Shahrisabz city were the honorary guests of the official opening ceremony.
The second part of the event shed light on modern approaches, in particular the use of IT technologies, for the protection and rational use of natural resources and biodiversity conservation. One of these methods is the use of drones. Drones allow the collection and analysis of data through topographic and aerial photography(surveying). Such methods improve the accuracy of data acquisition and bind them to a specific area and create an up-to-date database for further monitoring.
A mobile center of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) control has been handed over by the UNDP to the State Committee on Ecology and Environmental Protection. The whole center consists of:
1) a drone with a wide range of functionality that allows to carry out vegetation research and keep records of animals and violations;
2) a vehicle fully equipped with all necessary tools for collecting and analyzing required data that allows the mobility of the staff of the State Committee for Ecology to reach any place in Uzbekistan.
The visitor center is expected to become a popular tourist destination where students of local educational institutions, visitors of different ages and especially children, will be spending time, positively serving educational purposes and fostering an appreciation for specially protected natural areas and natural resources.
