The Uly (Greater) and Kiçi (Lesser) Balkhan mountains in western Turkmenistan will be designated as protected areas. The new reserve will be created with its core in Uly Balkhan and nature reserves in Kiçi Balkhan and Southern Ustyurt. This was reported by the news agency ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’.

The idea of protecting the Balkhan Mountains was first proposed in the 19th century after Grigory Karelin's expedition. Later, the region was studied by zoologists Mikhail Laptev and Geldi Shukurov. Modern research has confirmed the need to protect this unique ecosystem, which has been damaged by livestock grazing.

According to scientists, the area is home to two species of amphibians, 28 species of reptiles, 174 species of birds and 45 species of mammals. These include the Central Asian leopard, bezoar goats, mountain rams, manuls and Turkmen caracals. However, the reduction in vegetation and food sources has led to the disappearance of a number of rare birds and a decline in the numbers of other species.

The creation of the reserve will be part of Turkmenistan's National Forest Programme. At the same time, there are plans to expand the network of specially protected areas in the Dashoguz and Lebap velayats.