The government of Kyrgyzstan has officially recognized the snow leopard as the national symbol of the country. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
The decision adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers was signed by the Prime Minister Odilbek Qosimaliyev. According to the decision, an official logo of the snow leopard will be developed and the procedure for its use will be specially defined.
This initiative is being implemented in accordance with the decree of the President of Kyrgyzstan “On recognizing the snow leopard as a national symbol.” The main goal of the government’s decision is to preserve the country’s natural and cultural heritage, as well as to promote Kyrgyzstan’s mountainous nature and ecosystem internationally through the symbol of the snow leopard.
The Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision has been tasked with developing an action plan to protect the snow leopard population and preserve its habitat. Within this plan, measures such as combating poaching, monitoring the movements of snow leopards, and establishing protected areas are outlined.
According to the decision, all state bodies, local government authorities, and organizations are obliged to comply with these requirements. This will contribute to fostering a culture of respect for natural symbols in Kyrgyzstan.
The snow leopard is one of the rarest predators in the world, living in the mountains of Central Asia, including the Himalayas, Tien Shan, Pamir, and Altai regions. This animal is considered a sacred symbol representing the power and beauty of nature for many peoples.
Currently, the snow leopard is found in the territories of 12 countries, including China, Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Nepal, India, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan. Approximately 60 percent of the total population lives within China’s borders.
The snow leopard is listed as a “vulnerable species” in the International Red Book. The main threats include poaching, habitat loss due to reduction of living areas, livestock grazing, and road construction.
The Kyrgyz government has been actively working on snow leopard conservation in recent years. Special monitoring programs have been introduced in national parks and reserves, and the movements of snow leopards are tracked using GPS trackers.
Experts believe that the snow leopard holds not only biological but also spiritual significance for Kyrgyzstan. It symbolizes the courage, freedom, and traditions of living in harmony with nature of the mountain people.
Therefore, recognizing the snow leopard as a national symbol further enhances the country’s respect for nature. By adopting the snow leopard as a national symbol, Kyrgyzstan has taken an important step not only to protect its ecosystem but also to instill a culture of love and conservation of nature in future generations.
