TURMENISTAN: ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AT THE HAZAR

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 000501 SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN, OES FOR SCHENA E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/17/2019 TAGS: PGOV EAID EPET ESTH SENV AORC TX SUBJECT: TURMENISTAN: ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AT THE HAZAR NATURE RESERVE Classified By: Charge Richard Miles, reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: UNDP and the Global Environmental Fund are sponsoring a project for community outreach in the Hazar Nature Reserve, to reduce the amount of hunting and fishing of endangered and unique species in the area. This involves the delicate work of trying to change the habits of those who are practicing ancestral hunting and fishing traditions. The project sponsors grants for small businesses that can generate income from alternate sources, and plans many training programs for the youth. Construction of the Avaza Free Tourism Zone and oil and gas drilling in the area have made this work more critical than ever. This project is doing important work by educating people about environmentalism, in a place where there is little understanding of it. END SUMMARY. PROJECT COMPONENTS ¶2. (C) Public Relations Specialist, Dayanch Hojagyeldiyev (please protect),has worked for the UNDP/Global Environmental Fund Project "Conservation and sustainable use of globally significant biological diversity in Hazar Nature Reserve on the Caspian Sea Coast" since July 2008, and discussed the project's goals and components in a meeting on April 16. The Hazar area is home to flora and fauna such as the Caspian seal, which is unique to the immediate area, and the green toad, which is unique to Central Asia. Many other species in the area are also unique to desertified areas. According to Hojagyeldiyev, the current focus is on local community outreach in order to raise awareness of the Reserve and the importance of adhering to fishing and hunting restrictions. The project organizes training programs on alternative income-producing activities, such as a recent program on producing handicrafts from sheep and camel wool. The project also gives grants for small businesses, such as a new tailor shop. In addition, the project is procuring equipment used for scientific research. Hojagyeldiyev said that his colleagues are in the process of developing a relationship with the Government of Turkmenistan to strengthen environmental governance over wildlife resources, which is becoming more of a concern due to the construction of the Avaza Free Tourism Zone and oil and gas drilling in the area. CHALLENGES AND SUCCESSES ¶3. (C) Hojagyeldiyev said that community outreach regarding conservation is difficult in the Hazar area, because he and his colleagues are essentially trying to change the habits of locals that originated with their ancestors many generations ago. NGO Association of Hunters and Fishermen monitors hunting activity in the region and ensures that hunters are not active during restricted seasons, and is cooperating with the project. He said that training programs have been useful in educating locals why they should change their traditions. Whereas Border and Customs guards generally forbid them from hunting or fishing, locals understand the reasons for it after going through the training programs. As a result of Hojagyeldiyev's public outreach, the official Russian-language newspaper Neytralniy Turkmenistan covers the project two times a month, and Turkmenistan TV has presented stories on the unique and beautiful nature in the area. Currently, the staff is very involved in the organization of Earth Day events for students and biology teachers, as well as Hazar Nature Reserve employees. ¶4. (C) COMMENT: Hojagyeldiyev is one example of a U.S. program alumnus who is doing great things in Turkmenistan. It appears that the program spends much of its resources on education programs for young people, because the staff understands the importance of influencing youth. This project is doing valuable work by educating people about environmentalism, in a place where there is little understanding of it. END COMMENT. MILES