Today, October 8, a new initiative combining nature conservation and ecotourism – the 'Project to Protect Snow Leopards Through Ecotourism' is under review in Kyrgyzstan.
The project's concept and potential implementation areas were discussed, attended by Deputy Head of the National Investment Agency under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Damirbek Bikulov, Director of the Public-Private Partnership Center, Nurbek Anarbekin, Head of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) office in the Kyrgyz Republic, Dmitry Pyatachenko, Head of the World Bank office in the Kyrgyz Republic, Hugh Riddell, and IFC consultant Erkin Asrandiev.
The project's concept was proposed by India's SUJAN Luxury Hospitality Private Limited (SUJAN). The company has experience in tourism development and nature conservation.
The concept includes developing ecotourism, observing snow leopards and other wildlife, photo tourism, conducting scientific research, training guides, engaging with local communities, and developing tourist infrastructure.
The initiative aims to promote tourism based on a responsible attitude towards nature and create an internationally recognized tourist product.
It also seeks to combine tourism services with conservation measures that support biodiversity and local communities.
The project is currently at the initial stage of review and preliminary development. Consultations are ongoing regarding its concept, potential locations, and implementation conditions in accordance with the laws of the public-private partnership sector of the Kyrgyz Republic.