A feasibility study and implementation plan for the establishment of regional value chains and nature conservation compensation services.
With the support of the VGP Foundation, NABU aims to promote the ecological sustainability of yak husbandry and yak wool production while contributing to the conservation of ecosystem services in Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Above all, this includes preserving pastoral landscapes as a means of climate change adaptation and protecting the snow leopard and its prey.
The protection of the snow leopard in Central Asia is a priority for NABU. Together with the VGP Foundation, NABU is currently constructing predator-proof livestock shelters and developing compensation mechanisms in Tajikistan to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts. In addition to these successful conservation measures, further long-term and sustainable approaches to rural development are needed to provide local communities with secure livelihoods in the mountain regions of the Pamir, Tien Shan, and Altai ranges.
The pandemic and the resulting collapse of the tourism industry have caused a severe loss of income and livelihood opportunities, particularly in these regions. Against this backdrop, diversifying income sources while promoting nature-friendly land use is one of the most important measures for protecting the snow leopard and its prey.
In this context, it is essential to plan and develop nature conservation initiatives, economic opportunities, and social cohesion in partnership with local communities and with a long-term perspective.
Photos © NABU
