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Nature Reserves of Turkmenistan, Sanctuaries, National Parks, and Protected Areas

Turkmenistan, with its rich natural and cultural diversity, is home to stunning landscapes and unique ecosystems. From vast deserts to rugged mountains, this country offers travelers the opportunity to discover Turkmen protected areas that are home to endangered species, landscapes of great ecological significance, and natural sanctuaries that invite you to connect with nature in its purest form. Explore the Nature Reserves of Turkmenistan, Nature Sanctuaries, and Specially Protected Wilderness Areas, similar in Turkmenistan to the national parks in other Asian countries that make this region of Asia an ideal destination for nature lovers and conservation tourism.

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Protected Areas Information in Turkmenistan

Nature Reserves of Turkmenistan, Sanctuaries, National Parks, and Protected Areas

Surface and Distribution of Protected Areas

Turkmenistan has 32 protected areas covering a surface of 15,336 km², which represents 3.25% of the national territory, along with 2,332 km² of marine areas. These areas are part of a network aimed at preserving biodiversity, landscapes, and local wildlife, with a special focus on endangered species and delicate habitats. The protected areas include national parks, nature reserves, zakázniks, and zapovédniks, each with its own conservation approach.

Types of Protected Areas: Zakáznik, Zapovédnik, and Nature Sanctuaries

A zakáznik is a protected area where certain economic activities such as logging, mining, and grazing are limited, while a zapovédnik is a region protected for its historical value and its importance as a collective memory, a heritage from Soviet influence. The nature sanctuaries or partial reserves protect specific areas of ecological or scientific interest, such as crucial habitats for endangered species or areas of high ecological value.

Best Time to Visit the Protected Areas

The best time to visit Turkmenistan’s protected areas varies by region. Spring and autumn months offer pleasant temperatures in most of the country, ideal for enjoying the deserts, mountains, and Caspian Sea coasts. In summer, desert temperatures can exceed 40°C, which may be challenging for some visitors.

Nature Reserves of Turkmenistan

Köýtendag Nature Reserve (Kugitang)

Köýtendag Nature Reserve (Kugitang) in Lebap, Turkmenistan

The Köýtendag Nature Reserve, located in the east of the country, is famous for its geological diversity, including the Dinosaur Plateau and impressive karst caves. The park also hosts a variety of wildlife, such as the Tajik markhor and the Persian leopard, as well as rich flora with over 40 endemic species.

Bereketli Garagum Nature Reserve

Bereketli Garagum Nature Reserve

The Bereketli Garagum Nature Reserve is located in the southern Karakum Desert, one of the driest regions in the world. This park is home to species adapted to desert life, such as the Persian gazelle and the desert monitor lizard. It is a fascinating place for those interested in observing the resilience of life in such an extreme environment.

Repetek Biosphere Reserve

Located in the southeast of the Karakum Desert, the Repetek Reserve is one of the hottest regions in Central Asia. Recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, it stands out for its sandy ecosystems and unique species, such as the zemzen or desert monitor, as well as a significant population of Persian gazelles and migratory birds like the Dalmatian pelican and the black vulture.

Hazar State Nature Reserve

Located on the southeastern coast of the Caspian Sea, the Hazar State Nature Reserve is known for its marine biodiversity and for being a key area for migratory birds. Ogurja Ada Island, part of this reserve, is a crucial sanctuary for thousands of birds that cross the Caspian Sea each year.

Badhyz State Nature Reserve

South of the Karakum Desert, the Badhyz Nature Reserve is renowned for its diverse wildlife, especially as a refuge for the onager, or Asiatic wild ass. Additionally, this region is home to species such as the Persian leopard and the urial, a type of wild sheep, making it a vital place for the conservation of large mammals in the region.

Köpetdag Nature Reserve

Located in the Kopet Dag mountain range, this reserve protects both the endemic flora and fauna of the mountains. Among the most notable species is the Turkmen kulan, as well as two important natural monuments: the pistachio and walnut forests.

Syunt-Hasardag State Nature Reserve

The Syunt-Hasardag Reserve is located in the southwestern mountains of Turkmenistan, near the border with Iran. In addition to being home to species like the Persian leopard and the Turkestan lynx, this area is also key for the preservation of cultivable plant species, such as apple, walnut, and pistachio trees.

Kaplankyr State Nature Reserve

This vast reserve on the Gaplaňgyr Plateau is home to rich wildlife, including gazelles and saiga antelopes that migrate from Karakalpakstan in winter. The reserve also protects beaches on Lake Sarygamysh and is crucial for the conservation of the Turkmen kulan.

Amudarya State Nature Reserve

Divided into three zones, the Amudarya Nature Reserve protects the riparian habitats of the Amu Darya River. This area is especially important for species like the Bukhara deer and a rich avifauna that includes the common pheasant and the hypocolius.

Gaplaňgyr Nature Reserve

Located on the Gaplaňgyr Plateau, south of the Ustyurt Plateau, the Gaplaňgyr Nature Reserve covers a vast area of 2,822 km², located in the northwest of Daşoguz province, bordering Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. This unique territory lies at the confluence of two deserts, giving it exceptional biodiversity. Its fauna includes 26 species of mammals, including gazelles and a notable population of saiga antelopes that migrate here from Karakalpakstan during winter. Rare species such as the mouflon (Ovis orientalis cycloceros) and the honey badger, a curious mustelid, can also be found. As for birds, the area is home to 147 species, while its flora includes 918 plant species, many adapted to harsh desert conditions. The reserve also protects two important sanctuaries: Sarygamyş, dedicated to the conservation of the Sariqamish Lake beaches, and Şasenem, a key area for breeding the endangered Turkmen kulan, a wild equine.

Nature Sanctuaries in Turkmenistan

Many of the nature sanctuaries are linked to the main nature reserves. For example, Çemenebit and Gyzyljar are part of the Badhyz Reserve, while Mäne-Çäçe and Guryhowdan are found in the Köpetdag Reserve. These sanctuaries are key areas for the protection of specific species and habitats, such as the pistachio forest in Hojaburjybelent in Köýtendag.

Çemenebit Sanctuary (Badhyz Nature Reserve)

The Çemenebit Sanctuary, located within the Badhyz Nature Reserve, was created to protect vital habitats for local wildlife, especially the onager and other desert species. This sanctuary is crucial for the preservation of steppe vegetation areas and small hills that harbor rich biodiversity.

Gyzyljar Sanctuary (Badhyz Nature Reserve)

Part of the same reserve, the Gyzyljar Sanctuary is characterized by its landscape of hills and plateaus, where species like the urial and wild boar live. This sanctuary is also important for the protection of predators such as the Persian leopard and the wolf.

Pulhatyn Sanctuary (Badhyz Nature Reserve)

The Pulhatyn Sanctuary, also within the Badhyz Reserve, is an area of grasslands and dry scrub that provides refuge for desert wildlife. The sanctuary is known as a key area for the breeding of the Persian gazelle and the Asiatic wild ass.

Mäne-Çäçe Sanctuary (Köpetdag Nature Reserve)

This sanctuary is located in the Köpetdag Nature Reserve and is dedicated to the protection of mountainous habitats. It is home to species such as the Turkmen kulan and provides shelter for birds of prey like the imperial eagle.

Guryhowdan Sanctuary (Köpetdag Nature Reserve)

The Guryhowdan Sanctuary protects gallery forests and mountain ecosystems. Tree species such as the walnut and pistachio grow here, and species like the Turkestan lynx and the Persian leopard inhabit the area.

Sarygamyş Sanctuary (Kaplankyr Nature Reserve)

The Sarygamyş Sanctuary is located on the shore of Lake Sarygamysh, a region rich in aquatic birdlife. It is an important place for migratory birds such as the flamingo and cormorant. Additionally, the sanctuary protects the beaches and wetlands around the lake.

Şasenem Sanctuary (Kaplankyr Nature Reserve)

This sanctuary is dedicated to the protection of the Turkmen kulan and other desert mammals. The landscape is arid, with hills and dry steppes that form a vital refuge for the nomadic wildlife of the region.

Kelif Sanctuary (Amudarya State Nature Reserve)

The Kelif Sanctuary protects riparian areas along the Amu Darya River. These alluvial lands are crucial for migratory and resident bird species, such as the common pheasant and the great cormorant. It is also an important habitat for the Bukhara deer.

Hojaburjybelent Sanctuary (Köýtendag Nature Reserve)

This sanctuary is famous for its pistachio forests, which cover much of its territory. Additionally, the mountainous area is home to species such as the Persian leopard and the bear, as well as a variety of birds of prey.

Ogurjaly Sanctuary (Ogurja Ada Island, Caspian Sea)

The Ogurjaly Sanctuary is located on Ogurja Ada Island in the Caspian Sea. This island is a crucial refuge for migratory and resident waterfowl. With its sandy beaches and coastal landscapes, it is a key site for the nesting of species such as the common coot and the red-crested pochard.

Sünt-Hasardag Sanctuary (Sünt-Hasardag Nature Reserve)

The Sünt-Hasardag Sanctuary is located in the southwestern mountains of Turkmenistan. Its mountainous landscape, with broad-leaved forests and deep gorges, is home to species like the Persian leopard and the Turkestan lynx. It is also a refuge for rare plants, including wild varieties of traditional crops.

Garlyk Sanctuary (Köýtendag Nature Reserve)

The Garlyk Sanctuary, located in the Köýtendag Nature Reserve, is known for its karst caves and unique geological formations. This area is home to endemic species of flora and fauna and is an important site for the conservation of subterranean ecosystems.

Hojagarawul Sanctuary (Köýtendag Nature Reserve)

The Hojagarawul Sanctuary is notable for its forests and mountain gorges, which provide a natural refuge for rare species such as the bear and the Persian leopard. It is a crucial protected area within the mountainous region of Köýtendag.

Ogurjaly Sanctuary (Ogurja Ada Island, Caspian Sea)

The Ogurjaly Sanctuary, located on Ogurja Ada Island in the Caspian Sea, is a sanctuary for migratory birds. Its beaches and coastal areas provide an ideal habitat for the nesting of species such as the red-crested pochard and the flamingo.

Other Natural Sites of Interest in Turkmenistan

Karakum Desert

The Karakum Desert covers much of the country and offers unique landscapes of dunes and fauna adapted to extreme conditions. The desert is famous for its biodiversity and as the home of iconic species like the desert monitor and the Persian gazelle.

Lake Sarygamysh

This lake on the Ustyurt Plateau is an important refuge for aquatic and migratory birds. The richness of species on its protected shores is crucial for the biodiversity of the region.

Darvaza Gas Crater

The Darvaza Gas Crater, also known as the "Door to Hell," is one of the most fascinating tourist spots in Turkmenistan. Formed by an accident during drilling in the 1970s, it has attracted attention for its unique spectacle of perpetual flames in the heart of the Karakum Desert.

Kopet Dag Mountains

The Kopet Dag Mountains, with their unique ecosystems and endemic flora, are an attractive destination for hiking and nature lovers. This mountain range offers spectacular views and the opportunity to observe rare species like the Persian leopard.

Köýtendag Canyons

The deep Köýtendag canyons, such as the Daraya Canyon, offer breathtaking landscapes and unique biodiversity. These canyons, with walls up to 600 meters high, are perfect for ecotourism and exploration.

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