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Integrated Conservation Management and Restoration of High-Value Landscapes in Uzbekistan

Project Summary: Scaling landscape restoration in Uzbekistan. This is a part of the GEF8 Global Program, this project scales innovative, integrated approaches to ecosystem restoration across the West Tian Shan, Nuratau, and Kugitang landscapes. By tackling the root causes of land degradation, the project will improve the management of 1.3 million hectares of vital forests and rangelands. Through a participatory approach, we empower women, youth, and vulnerable groups to ensure sustainable, equitable environmental benefits for all.

Main objectives:

  1. Restore degraded ecosystems, including 139,958 hectares of pastures and forests.
  2. Improve land management practices over 349,597 hectares of landscapes.
  3. Conserve 881,000 hectares of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs).
  4. Achieve a 20% improvement in the management effectiveness of 142,278 hectares of protected areas.
  5. Promote innovative, participatory approaches that strengthen institutional capacity for sustainable land use and biodiversity conservation.
  6. Empowering women, youth, and vulnerable groups to scale up innovative financing and capacity-building mechanisms for large-scale, sustainable restoration.
  7. By restoring rangelands and forests, we can cut 7.5 million tons of CO₂ and help our planet breathe easier.

Expected results:

  1. 53,000 ha of forest and pastureland restored. 
  2. 200,000 ha of state forest fund land under improved management for ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation.
  3. 142,278.4 ha of protected areas under improved management.
  4. Development of new sustainable financing mechanisms for ecosystem restoration.
  5. 30,000 local resource users benefiting from GEF-supported activities, including through nature-based tourism development, improved pasture management, and improved nature-resource livelihoods.
  6. Strengthening of Uzbekistan’s national protected area system, and further alignment with global best practices.

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