Uzbekistan Updates List of National Natural Heritage Sites

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —The National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change of Uzbekistan has updated the List of National Natural Heritage Sites, expanding it from 185 entries in 2023 to 212.

The update is the result of extensive research carried out in 2024–2025 and covers unique ecosystems, bodies of water, natural landscapes, and rare species of flora and fauna.

The list now includes 23 biological sites, such as forest areas, juniper woodlands, and tugai forests; 101 hydrological sites, including 49 springs, 23 lakes, 13 rivers, 12 waterfalls, 4 streams, and the Aral Sea; 33 geological sites, including caves, gorges, mountains, rock formations, deserts, and sand dunes; two natural phenomena and one paleontological site known as the “Dinosaur Trace”.

The register also features seven state nature reserves, one integrated wildlife sanctuary, 13 wildlife sanctuaries, 13 national natural parks, and eight natural monuments.

Several heritage sites have already been recognized internationally: Western Tien-Shan (2016) and the Turan Deserts (2023) are included on the UNESCO World Heritage List; the Chatkal and Lower Amu Darya biosphere reserves are part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves; and five bodies of water hold the status of wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

In December 2025, Tashkent hosted the photo exhibition “Uzbekistan’s Natural Heritage,” aimed at promoting the country’s natural heritage sites. The event featured the presentation of the album books “Natural Heritage of Uzbekistan” and “The Nature of Uzbekistan Through the Seasons.”