Turkmenistan Takes On Conserving Ecosystems

The Kopetdag Mountains are an abounding source of life located in the Magtymguly region of Turkmenistan. Home to thousands of different plants and animals with a very beautiful diverse landscape from white mountains to beautiful painted deserts, they attract thousands of tourists from around the world each year.

To help preserve the protected wildlife reserves in the Mountains and promote conservation of the fragile ecosytem UNDP is working with school teachers and ecologists to educate locals about how they can preserve this fragile ecosystem - and promote eco-tourism to generate economic growth. The teachers and ecologists received books, leaflets and other information materials to take back to their various schools and organizations to educate more people on the priorities of ecological preservation. For the first time, the materials are printed in both Turkmen and Russian to make sure that everyone is able to read them.

UNDP is now helping to build the country's first national park, which will be important in ensuring sustainable development and protection of the area.