IGCP 727 Geological heritage – sustainable management of geological hazards and water resources in transboundary region of Kyrgyzstan (2020-2021)

(Full project name: Geological heritage for capacity building – the basis for sustainable management of geological hazards and water resources in

transboundary region of Kyrgyzstan)

Brief description of the project

Welcome to the IGCP 727 project!

The goal of this project is to establish international cooperation for the study of natural resources and geological heritage to create a transboundary geopark in the southwestern Tien-Shan, an area of ​​outstanding geological heritage.

The southwestern part of the Tien-Shan covers the territory of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. This region has a high potential for the implementation of future scientific and applied programs implemented by IGCP: Geographic Heritage for Sustainable Development; Global Change; Geohazards; Hydrogeology and Earth Resources.

Our task is to preserve geosites of international importance for the sustainable development of the region, as well as to involve local communities in the development of the Geopark.

We plan to explore the potential of the geological heritage in one of the unique regions of the Tien-Shan. Here is the pristine nature and culture of indigenous peoples.

Our project has great potential for young scientists studying geological hazards or water resources.

Despite the fact that mountain ranges are good accumulators of moisture, the area is arid, where water is scarce. This exacerbates ethnic conflicts. Therefore, the results of the study of water resources, the assessment of natural water sources and recommendations for their use will help mitigate the effects of climate change.

We look forward to international cooperation and support from international organizations that will help us involve local communities in the process of creating a Geopark.

The creation of a Geopark will become a deterrent that will distract the indigenous population from problems and re-evaluate their relationship to nature. The Geopark will solve a number of social problems, such as poverty reduction and adaptation to climate change.

Our long-term goals: to use the potential of the geological heritage for the sustainable development of the most remote region of Kyrgyzstan; Create a UNESCO Geopark that will improve life in the region; The Geopark will improve the social status of indigenous peoples, expand their knowledge of the geological heritage, as well as their knowledge of natural disasters that occur in the region.

We plan to develop recommendations and mechanisms for reducing geological hazards and managing geo-risks. These recommendations will be addressed to government agencies, presented to the scientific institutes of the Academy of Sciences, and will also form the basis for the development of the local population.

We invite everyone interested in the implementation of the project goals.

Related information

• Duration: 2021 – 2022
• Special topic: Geoheritage for Sustainable Development theme

International Geoscience Programme

In 2021, UNESCO’s Earth Sciences Secretariat approved project 727 – “Geological heritage – sustainable management of geological hazards and water resources in the transboundary region of Kyrgyzstan“.

For the first time, the IGCP project appeared on the territory of Central Asia.

UNESCO is the only United Nations organization with a mandate to support research and capacity-building in geology and geophysics, and the International Geoscience Program is its flagship international engagement platform

This project provides an opportunity for the geological community of Kyrgyzstan to integrate into modern international geological science. This is a chance to develop a new direction for Kyrgyzstan on the principle of “Geology for Sustainable Development”.

Modern ideas for the creation of geoparks all over the world are the desire of progressive geoecologists to conduct geoconservation of unique geological diversity. But the geoconservation of geological heritage sites must benefit society. Showcasing geological heritage together with cultural heritage is the foundation for ecotourism and sustainable development.

The idea is that geodiversity is at the core of biodiversity and every ecosystem. Therefore, the preservation of natural geological landscapes is an important component of the sustainable development of all ecosystems.

Therefore, the key mission of the 727 project is to make the contribution of geologists in Kyrgyzstan to help UNESCO in the preservation of geological heritage and the creation of a global geopark, as well as to solve pressing problems related to geological hazards and water resources.

One of the main objectives of the project is to involve local residents and officials in the idea of ​​creating a Geopark.

The International Consortium on Landslides (ICL)

The Tian-Shan Geological Society is a full member of the International Consortium on Landslides. 

The International Consortium on Landslides (ICL), established at the Kyoto Symposium in January 2002, is an International non-governmental and non-profit scientific organization. The ICL established the International Program on Landslides (IPL) as an ICL Program for the Tokyo Action Plan by 2006. The IPL includes IPL projects, the three-year World Landslide Forum (WLF) and the World Centers of Excellence for landslide risk reduction (WCoE).

The ICL has offered partnerships with the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR), ISDR-ICL Sendai 2015-2025, to promote global understanding and reduce the risk of landslides at the Third World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (3rd Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030) in Sendai, Japan. It was adopted and signed by 16 organizations of the United Nations, as well as international and national organizations.

At present, TSGS together with partner organizations developed a project to reduce the risks of landslide hazard in Kyrgyzstan.

The International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS)

In September 2018, the Executive Committee of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) decided to grant the TSGS membership in IUGS as 123 active members of this organization. In this regard, the Tien-Shan Geological Society represents the interests of geologists, scientists of Kyrgyzstan in the International Union of Geological Sciences – the oldest and most influential scientific organization in the world, founded in 1878 in Paris. The International Union of Geologists seeks to promote the development of Earth sciences by supporting large-scale scientific researches relevant to the entire Earth system; apply the results of these and other studies to preserve the natural environment on Earth, wisely using all natural resources and improving the welfare of nations and the quality of life of people; and to raise public awareness of geology and promote geological education in the widest sense.

In 2020, the TSGS intends to take part in the 36th International Geological Congress, which will be held in March 2-8 in the capital of India, New Delhi. For the first time, scientists, geologists of the republic will take part in the work of the IGC, which will contribute to the modern appearance of the geologists of the republic, the opportunities for obtaining and effectively using information about world achievements on geological science and applied methods. The participation of the Kyrgyz delegation at the International Geological Congress will contribute to the acquisition new experience and a new level of culture, of international relations with foreign colleagues.

Kyrgyzstan’s membership in the IUGS and its participation in the IGC will be one of the image projects for the country. Members of the Geological Society will also take part in the GEO EXPO – 2020, which will be held within the framework of the IGC, where stands and current geological materials of interest to the global geological community will be presented, in the form of achievements of the geologists of Kyrgyzstan: scientific works, maps, atlases, forecasts and others.