Tajikistan's Beshai Palangon Reserve faces potential water crisis
In November 2025, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) released a report on the status of Tajikistan’s Beshai Palangon (Tiger Ravine) Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The report highlighted significant risks to the reserve, particularly related to water management, external economic pressures, and climate change.
What is the current situation at one of the country’s most valuable natural sites?
The IUCN report assesses the state of the Beshai Palangon Reserve as «alarming,» with the greatest threat identified as disruptions to the water regime. Experts emphasize that due to the regulation of the Vakhsh River’s flow through reservoirs and the redistribution of water for agriculture, the natural seasonal floods that once nourished the tugay forests (a form of riparian forest or woodland associated with fluvial and floodplain areas in arid climates) have nearly disappeared. As a result, the ecosystem is now heavily dependent on surface and drainage groundwater, which is insufficient to maintain the moist forests and biodiversity.
According to the IUCN, around a third of Vakhsh River water is used for irrigation, and a significant portion of the remaining water contains wastewater with high chemical levels, degrading the water quality in the reserve.
However, national agencies have a different view.
Stable conditions, but risks remain
The Committee for Environmental Protection assesses the current condition of the reserve as stable. While acknowledging the ecosystem’s vulnerability, the committee noted that it is directly affected by the water regime of the Vakhsh River, as well as external economic activities and climatic factors. According to the Hydrometeorology Agency (Hydromet), the average annual water flow of the Vakhsh River in 2025 was 468 cubic meters per second, which is 89% of the average long-term figure.
The Committee emphasized that these changes remain within acceptable limits and, based on expert assessments, are not having a negative impact on the ecosystem or the tugay forests.
«Water quality monitoring was conducted across 47 chemical indicators. Only two pollutants (sulfates and nitrites) slightly exceeded established norms. All other indicators are within acceptable values. To date, the reserve has not experienced water shortages, mass fish deaths, or complete drying of lakes,» the Committee reported.
Regarding the international assessment, the agency’s representatives believe it largely relies on data from 2017-2019 and does not reflect the recent changes and measures taken in the past few years.
What Has Changed
The Committee highlights that management of the reserve has become more systematic. In 2023, a Wetland Management Plan for 2024-2028 was developed.
«The main goal of the plan is to ensure the conservation of the reserve’s natural ecosystems and protect the natural resources of its wetlands,» the environmental agency stated.
Before its development, a comprehensive scientific study of the reserve’s condition was conducted in collaboration with the National Academy of Sciences. The research focused on the impact of climate factors, the status of ichthyofauna, entomofauna, and flora. Modern monitoring methods, including drone technology, are now being employed in the reserve. Additionally, the presence of a black stork nesting site was recently recorded.
Since the reserve’s inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage list, the monitoring system has been strengthened. One observation point has already been commissioned, and a second one is nearing completion.
Life in the Reserve today
Currently, 35 government inspectors work within the reserve. Each is assigned a specific area to monitor on an ongoing basis.
«In recent years, due to increased control, illegal logging, poaching, and violations of the reserve’s regime have significantly decreased,» the Committee emphasized.
A special focus is placed on water management. In 2025, over 20 kilometers of internal channels and collectors were cleaned. According to experts, this has improved water exchange in the lakes and the overall ecological health of the area.
To enhance control and operational work, the reserve has been provided with heavy machinery, camera traps, GPS devices, and specialized equipment.
A nursery for reforestation is being established in the buffer zone. As part of a state greening program, saxaul and locust trees, which provide feed for animals, are being planted annually until 2040.
In addition, a program to support local populations, including the installation of irrigation pipelines and the creation of intensive orchards, is being implemented in partnership with international organizations.
The biggest problem: the canal
Experts monitoring the reserve for many years argue that a significant ecological problem was caused by a specific economic activity — the bypass canal along the northern border of the reserve.
The 13-kilometer canal, which has not been cleaned since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, was overflowing, and all the water from nearby settlements and agricultural fields flowed into it. This water, containing chemicals, was then diverted into the reserve via groundwater and drainage channels.
«This uncontrolled runoff changed the water balance of the area. Previously, the system received mostly clean groundwater from the Vakhsh River, but then water from agricultural fields and settlements brought in silt, chemicals, and waste,» explains Gharibmamad Gharibmamadov, senior researcher at the Institute of Zoology and Parasitology of the National Academy of Sciences.
According to him, this unmanaged runoff significantly altered the reserve’s water balance. Where clean groundwater once flowed, silt from agricultural fields and chemicals began to accumulate, filling the lakes and raising water levels. The surrounding forests and land began turning into marshes, and reed beds started to overgrow.
The excessive influx of water from agricultural fields not only silts up the lakes but also alters the habitat for animals. The flooding of the tugay forests made certain areas unsuitable for species such as the Bukhara deer, pheasants, and others. During spring floods, muddy water exacerbated the siltation process.
The situation began to improve only in the past two years. «A year and a half ago, cleaning of the canal started. Now it’s been cleared, and the situation is much better. This canal is crucial for the reserve,» Gharibmamadov emphasizes.
In 2024, machinery including excavators, loaders, and trucks were acquired for the cleaning process. On the cleared land, marshes are being drained, reed beds are shrinking, and tree species such as jigda or Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) and multi-branched crested willow are gradually recovering.
However, Gharibmamadov warns that the impact has lasted for decades, and quick changes should not be expected. «When such factors affect an area for a long time, the composition of the fauna and flora changes. Natural restoration may take from five to ten years,» he concludes.
Additional Problem: settlement growth and waste
Another significant factor influencing the reserve’s condition is the encroachment of settlements along its border and the accumulation of household waste along the northern boundary.
Monitoring data shows that household waste is polluting the riverbank over a 13.2-kilometer stretch of the reserve, mostly near settlements. This waste primarily consists of glass, plastic, and other packaging discarded by local residents.
Experts highlight that this waste is contaminating the riverbank and adjacent drainage channels, worsening the ecological situation within the reserve. «Previously, especially during the rainy season, the flow from the uncleaned canal would wash all of this deeper into the reserve. In some places, it was hard to even tell it was a canal — it looked like just a flat land,» Gharibmamadov explains.
As settlements continue to expand, the burden on the reserve increases. Monitoring regularly reports an increase in illegally organized dumps along the boundary. According to experts, these dumps are not only an aesthetic issue but also a point of contact between wild and domestic animals, increasing the risk of dangerous infectious diseases spreading, which can have serious consequences.
In the future, additional pressure may come from the expansion of agricultural and water management activities, settlement growth, and industrial activity near the reserve.
About the Beshai Palangon Reserve
The Beshai Palangon Reserve was established on November 4, 1938, as Tajikistan’s first state nature reserve. Its area is 49,700 hectares, of which 21,400 hectares are wetlands.
The reserve is home to over 30 rare species of animals, including the Bukhara deer, gazelles, striped hyenas, Central Asian monitor lizards, and Amu Darya shovelnoses. Each year, more than 50 species of birds winter in the reserve.
Over 24,000 hectares of the reserve are covered by tugay forests — a rare ecosystem that has survived in Central Asia.
In 2023, the Beshai Palangon reserve was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the «Beshai Palangon Tugay Forests» site.
What is the current situation at one of the country’s most valuable natural sites?
The IUCN report assesses the state of the Beshai Palangon Reserve as «alarming,» with the greatest threat identified as disruptions to the water regime. Experts emphasize that due to the regulation of the Vakhsh River’s flow through reservoirs and the redistribution of water for agriculture, the natural seasonal floods that once nourished the tugay forests (a form of riparian forest or woodland associated with fluvial and floodplain areas in arid climates) have nearly disappeared. As a result, the ecosystem is now heavily dependent on surface and drainage groundwater, which is insufficient to maintain the moist forests and biodiversity.
According to the IUCN, around a third of Vakhsh River water is used for irrigation, and a significant portion of the remaining water contains wastewater with high chemical levels, degrading the water quality in the reserve.
However, national agencies have a different view.
Stable conditions, but risks remain
The Committee for Environmental Protection assesses the current condition of the reserve as stable. While acknowledging the ecosystem’s vulnerability, the committee noted that it is directly affected by the water regime of the Vakhsh River, as well as external economic activities and climatic factors. According to the Hydrometeorology Agency (Hydromet), the average annual water flow of the Vakhsh River in 2025 was 468 cubic meters per second, which is 89% of the average long-term figure.
The Committee emphasized that these changes remain within acceptable limits and, based on expert assessments, are not having a negative impact on the ecosystem or the tugay forests.
«Water quality monitoring was conducted across 47 chemical indicators. Only two pollutants (sulfates and nitrites) slightly exceeded established norms. All other indicators are within acceptable values. To date, the reserve has not experienced water shortages, mass fish deaths, or complete drying of lakes,» the Committee reported.
Regarding the international assessment, the agency’s representatives believe it largely relies on data from 2017-2019 and does not reflect the recent changes and measures taken in the past few years.
What Has Changed
The Committee highlights that management of the reserve has become more systematic. In 2023, a Wetland Management Plan for 2024-2028 was developed.
«The main goal of the plan is to ensure the conservation of the reserve’s natural ecosystems and protect the natural resources of its wetlands,» the environmental agency stated.
Before its development, a comprehensive scientific study of the reserve’s condition was conducted in collaboration with the National Academy of Sciences. The research focused on the impact of climate factors, the status of ichthyofauna, entomofauna, and flora. Modern monitoring methods, including drone technology, are now being employed in the reserve. Additionally, the presence of a black stork nesting site was recently recorded.
Since the reserve’s inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage list, the monitoring system has been strengthened. One observation point has already been commissioned, and a second one is nearing completion.
Life in the Reserve today
Currently, 35 government inspectors work within the reserve. Each is assigned a specific area to monitor on an ongoing basis.
«In recent years, due to increased control, illegal logging, poaching, and violations of the reserve’s regime have significantly decreased,» the Committee emphasized.
A special focus is placed on water management. In 2025, over 20 kilometers of internal channels and collectors were cleaned. According to experts, this has improved water exchange in the lakes and the overall ecological health of the area.
To enhance control and operational work, the reserve has been provided with heavy machinery, camera traps, GPS devices, and specialized equipment.
A nursery for reforestation is being established in the buffer zone. As part of a state greening program, saxaul and locust trees, which provide feed for animals, are being planted annually until 2040.
In addition, a program to support local populations, including the installation of irrigation pipelines and the creation of intensive orchards, is being implemented in partnership with international organizations.
The biggest problem: the canal
Experts monitoring the reserve for many years argue that a significant ecological problem was caused by a specific economic activity — the bypass canal along the northern border of the reserve.
The 13-kilometer canal, which has not been cleaned since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, was overflowing, and all the water from nearby settlements and agricultural fields flowed into it. This water, containing chemicals, was then diverted into the reserve via groundwater and drainage channels.
«This uncontrolled runoff changed the water balance of the area. Previously, the system received mostly clean groundwater from the Vakhsh River, but then water from agricultural fields and settlements brought in silt, chemicals, and waste,» explains Gharibmamad Gharibmamadov, senior researcher at the Institute of Zoology and Parasitology of the National Academy of Sciences.
According to him, this unmanaged runoff significantly altered the reserve’s water balance. Where clean groundwater once flowed, silt from agricultural fields and chemicals began to accumulate, filling the lakes and raising water levels. The surrounding forests and land began turning into marshes, and reed beds started to overgrow.
The excessive influx of water from agricultural fields not only silts up the lakes but also alters the habitat for animals. The flooding of the tugay forests made certain areas unsuitable for species such as the Bukhara deer, pheasants, and others. During spring floods, muddy water exacerbated the siltation process.
The situation began to improve only in the past two years. «A year and a half ago, cleaning of the canal started. Now it’s been cleared, and the situation is much better. This canal is crucial for the reserve,» Gharibmamadov emphasizes.
In 2024, machinery including excavators, loaders, and trucks were acquired for the cleaning process. On the cleared land, marshes are being drained, reed beds are shrinking, and tree species such as jigda or Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) and multi-branched crested willow are gradually recovering.
However, Gharibmamadov warns that the impact has lasted for decades, and quick changes should not be expected. «When such factors affect an area for a long time, the composition of the fauna and flora changes. Natural restoration may take from five to ten years,» he concludes.
Additional Problem: settlement growth and waste
Another significant factor influencing the reserve’s condition is the encroachment of settlements along its border and the accumulation of household waste along the northern boundary.
Monitoring data shows that household waste is polluting the riverbank over a 13.2-kilometer stretch of the reserve, mostly near settlements. This waste primarily consists of glass, plastic, and other packaging discarded by local residents.
Experts highlight that this waste is contaminating the riverbank and adjacent drainage channels, worsening the ecological situation within the reserve. «Previously, especially during the rainy season, the flow from the uncleaned canal would wash all of this deeper into the reserve. In some places, it was hard to even tell it was a canal — it looked like just a flat land,» Gharibmamadov explains.
As settlements continue to expand, the burden on the reserve increases. Monitoring regularly reports an increase in illegally organized dumps along the boundary. According to experts, these dumps are not only an aesthetic issue but also a point of contact between wild and domestic animals, increasing the risk of dangerous infectious diseases spreading, which can have serious consequences.
In the future, additional pressure may come from the expansion of agricultural and water management activities, settlement growth, and industrial activity near the reserve.
About the Beshai Palangon Reserve
The Beshai Palangon Reserve was established on November 4, 1938, as Tajikistan’s first state nature reserve. Its area is 49,700 hectares, of which 21,400 hectares are wetlands.
The reserve is home to over 30 rare species of animals, including the Bukhara deer, gazelles, striped hyenas, Central Asian monitor lizards, and Amu Darya shovelnoses. Each year, more than 50 species of birds winter in the reserve.
Over 24,000 hectares of the reserve are covered by tugay forests — a rare ecosystem that has survived in Central Asia.
In 2023, the Beshai Palangon reserve was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the «Beshai Palangon Tugay Forests» site.
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