The" Lower Amu Darya" State Biosphere Reserve
2025-05-01 00:00:00 / Nature reserves
The Lower Amu Darya State Biosphere Reserve includes a vast area of alluvial plain located downstream of the river, between the foothills of the Amu Darya and the Aral Sea. This plain extends to the Aral Sea in the north, is bounded by the Ustyurt plateau in the west, the Zangyuz Karakum in the south and the Kyzylkum desert in the east. It also borders the Gurlan, Beruni and Amu Darya districts of the Khorezm region.
The Lower Amu Darya State Biosphere Reserve is located 90 km from the city of Nukus and 44 km from the center of the Beruni district of the Republic of Karakalpakstan.
The total area of the biosphere reserve is 68,717.8 hectares. The territory is divided into 3 zones: a protected area of 11,568.3 hectares, a buffer area of 6,731.4 hectares, and a transition area of 50,418.1 hectares.
Natural conditions: The climate of the territory is sharply continental, winters are moderately cold and with snow. With an absolute minimum of -26 degrees, the average January temperature is 4-5 degrees below zero. The maximum summer temperature reaches +42 degrees. This region is one of the driest in Central Asia, with an average of only 80 mm of precipitation in spring and autumn.
Flora: there are about 419 plant species in the biosphere reserve.
Fauna: 348 species of vertebrates have been registered in the territory, including 41 species of fish, 2 species of amphibians, 24 species of reptiles, 243 species of birds (including migratory species), and 38 species of mammals. Of these, 10 species of fish, 2 species of reptiles, 14 species of birds, 4 species of mammals are listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and 18 species in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Ecotourism: In the biosphere reserve, a number of works are carried out to develop ecotourism, so 3 ecotourism routes are laid:
- Route No. 1. The museum, located in the administrative building of the biosphere reserve, as well as a nursery (aviary), for Bukhara deer (route 1.5-2 km).
- Route No. 2. The museum, located in the administrative building of the biosphere reserve, a nursery (aviary), as well as a route to get acquainted with the landscape of the Amu Darya River, the flora and fauna of the tugai, as well as observation of the population of one of the rare species of deer - the Bukhara deer (route 10-12 km).
Not far from the Lower Amu Darya State Biosphere Reserve, in the Amu Darya region, the Khan Saray Hotel operates.
The administrative building of the biosphere reserve is located in the village of Altinsay in the Beruni region, Republic of Karakalpakstan.
Visit time
Weekdays from 12:00 to 20:00 in summer (until 17:00 in winter) Weekends and holidays from 09:00 to 21:00 (until 17:00 in winter)