Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Five autonomous watering systems for wild animals have been installed at the Saigachiy comprehensive landscape reserve in Karakalpakstan. The initiative was implemented under the Aral Sea Wetlands project by the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The watering points were established in the desert area of Ustyurt, where access to water resources is limited. They are intended to provide saigas and other local wildlife with additional sources of water.
The autonomous systems operate on solar power and do not require permanent connection to centralized electricity or water supply networks. Each system is equipped with a 3-cubic-meter reservoir, a pump, sensors and meters, enabling the automatic supply of water.
At the same time, 10 cameras and 10 camera traps were installed in the reserve. The equipment is designed for round-the-clock observation of animals, recording their movements and monitoring their use of the watering points.
The data collected will be used for further monitoring of wild animal populations.
For saigas living in Ustyurt’s natural environment, the availability of additional water sources is particularly important.
The autonomous watering systems are intended to create more favorable conditions for wildlife, while the monitoring systems will provide specialists with information on the condition and movements of local fauna.
The installation of the watering systems is one of the practical measures aimed at preserving Ustyurt’s biodiversity.
Combining wildlife infrastructure with modern monitoring equipment makes it possible to provide access to water while simultaneously monitoring natural processes.
