Kyrgyzstan hosted the Conservation Asia 2018 Conference with support from Kumtor Gold Company

Kyrgyzstan hosted the Conservation Asia 2018 Conference with support from Kumtor Gold Company

published: 15 August 2018

The Society for Conservation Biology, Asia Section together with American University of Central Asia hosted an international conference from 6 to 10 August 2018 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. More than 200 participants, including environmental scientists and young researchers from around the world took part in the conference.

The theme of the conference was Mainstreaming Conservation in Changing Asia. The conference covered a wide range of scientific issues, from biodiversity conservation through applied mathematics to scientific research in the field of genetics and the use of technological innovations.
The conference included plenary reports, symposiums, workshops, poster presentations, an exposition of organizations working on innovations in the field of theory and practice of biodiversity conservation in Asia.

Kumtor Gold Company sponsored the event and hosted plenary sessions to share experience in biodiversity conservation measures, practiced at the mine site.
The KGC Environment team made presentations about biodiversity monitoring, the population of Argali sheep at the mine site and surrounding areas, and a proposed post-closure Scientific Research Station at the Kumtor Mine. Sarychat –Eertash nature reserve, adjacent to the Kumtor mine, is a home for numerous wildlife species, including birds and mammals listed in the Red Book.

Located close to the reserve the Kumtor Gold Mine became a visiting point of a number of species. As part of its environmental responsibility, KGC is committed to monitor flora and fauna, and in particular its impacts on the environment. The possibility to establish a Scientific Research Center at the Kumtor Mine after closure, is a viable strategy to expand on the existing local and regional biodiversity conservation and research activities. With established infrastructure that has supported the mining operation for over two decades and unique high altitude location with numerous ecological and natural resources, the Kumtor camp provides a significant opportunity to become a cornerstone of both scientific research and conservation for the Central Asian region and a positive legacy for the people of Kyrgyzstan.