Zarafshan Reserve in Samarkand
Zarafshan Reserve
Zarafshan Reserve is a significant nature reserve in Uzbekistan, located on the right bank of the Zarafshan River, stretching from the Pervomaisky dam near the border with Tajikistan to the height of Chupon Ota, just 8 kilometers from Samarkand. This protected area plays an essential role in preserving the unique biodiversity and ecosystems of the Samarkand region, encompassing diverse landscapes and a rich variety of flora and fauna.
Creation and Development
The Zarafshan Reserve was established to protect areas of foothill tugais, administered by the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Forestry. In 1948, a narrow strip of the Zarafshan valley along the riverbanks was transferred to the Samarkand forestry for bank protection and protective planting purposes.
Between 1948 and 1956, attempts were made to reconstruct tugai vegetation using species like Dzhungarian willow, narrow-leaved oleaster, sea buckthorn, and turanga. Additionally, Pennsylvania ash, white locust, honey locust, and walnut trees were planted over an area of 400 hectares. However, most of these artificial plantations gradually reverted to their wild state, leaving only 10 hectares of cultivated vegetation.
In 1958, tugai plots covering 2435 hectares were officially declared a reserve to preserve endemic subspecies of the Zarafshan region. From 1961 to 1975, some areas were cleared for forest nurseries, orchards, and crop production, resulting in the loss of 104 hectares of vegetation.
The reserve was officially founded by the Decree of the Council of Ministers of the Uzbek SSR on May 11, 1975. Initially planned to cover 2518 hectares, subsequent adjustments reduced the size to 2060 hectares by 1976. By 1979, the reserve’s area expanded again to 2359.6 hectares.
Geographical and Natural Features
The Zarafshan Reserve is characterized by valley intrazonal landscapes shaped by floodplain processes, dividing the area into treeless pebbly zones in the upper reaches and lush tugai forests in the lower reaches of the river. It is located between the Zarafshan and Turkestan ranges, with the valley formed by a synclinal trough filled with Quaternary deposits brought by the Zarafshan River from the Pamir-Alay.
The reserve’s terrain is largely flat, with an overall slope along the course of the Zarafshan River. The elevation ranges from 900 meters to 620 meters. Geologically, tertiary deposits of red clay are overlain by pebble deposits near the river, transitioning to layers of sand and silt downstream.
Biodiversity of Zarafshan Reserve
The reserve is renowned for its diverse ecosystems and species richness. Its fauna includes 88 species of insects and 26 species of mollusks, while vertebrates are represented by 245 recorded localities. Amphibians are scarce, with only two species, while reptiles include 10 species such as the lake frog, Asian naked eye, steppe turtle, water snake, sand boa, and arrow snake.
The birdlife of the Zarafshan Reserve is particularly well studied, comprising 207 species. Among the notable birds found in forest biotopes are the Turkestan tuvik, kestrel, white-winged woodpecker, splyuska, southern nightingale, and the endemic Zarafshan pheasant. In meadow and swamp habitats, species like bittern, moorhen, white-tailed lapwing, brownish nightjar, and kingfisher are commonly observed.
The reserve is also home to 24 species of mammals, including porcupine, mole voles, tamarisk gerbil, Afghan and Transcaspian voles. Muskrats are abundant along the riverbanks. Among predators, jackals, corsac foxes, and the karaganka subspecies of the common fox are prevalent. Less frequently seen are steppe and reed cats, weasels, and dressing.
Conservation Efforts and Endemic Species
The Red Book of Uzbekistan lists several species found within the reserve, including mollusks like Colletopterum cyreum sogdianum and Corbicula fluminalis, and fish species such as Barbus capito conocephalus and Sabanejewia aurata aralensis. Importantly, the endemic Zarafshan pheasant, Phasianus colchicus zarafschanicus, is a key conservation focus. Reintroductions have been carried out in collaboration with human rights activists on the territory of the Bukhara reindeer herding reserve during the 1970s and 2000s.
The Zarafshan Reserve continues to play a crucial role in safeguarding Uzbekistan’s natural heritage, providing refuge for many species and preserving vital ecosystems unique to the region around Samarkand.