Kyrgyzstan approves plan to restore 150,000 hectares of forest by 2035

September 5, 2026 at 04:00 PM1 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Kyrgyzstan has approved a national adaptation plan to restore at least 150,000 hectares of degraded forest land by 2035. The plan responds to the loss of about 90% of the country's forest cover over the past 50 years. It also aims to cover at least 60% of priority watersheds with nature-based measures.

Key Facts

Kyrgyzstan has lost about 90% of its forest cover over the past 50 years.
The national adaptation plan targets restoration of at least 150,000 hectares of degraded forest land by 2035.
At least 60% of priority watersheds are to be covered by reforestation, slope stabilization, and other nature-based measures by 2035.
Monitoring will cover at least 80% of vulnerable mountain and forest ecosystems.
At least 40 demonstration sites for nature restoration are planned in priority areas.

Forest Loss

Kyrgyzstan has lost about 90% of its forest cover over the past 50 years. The decline is treated in the plan as more than an environmental problem. It raises risks of mudflows and landslides, worsens watershed conditions, and increases threats to roads, bridges, and farmland.

Restoration Targets

The plan calls forests and mountain ecosystems the country's 'natural infrastructure'. They stabilize slopes, regulate water flow, and help reduce the impact of extreme precipitation. By 2035, reforestation, slope stabilization, and other nature-based measures are to cover at least 60% of priority watersheds. New construction in mudflow- and landslide-prone areas would require mandatory assessment of surrounding ecosystems. Projects in such zones must account for a so-called ecosystem buffer.

Monitoring and Demonstration

Monitoring is to cover at least 80% of vulnerable mountain and forest ecosystems. At least 40 demonstration sites for nature restoration are planned in priority areas.