Yaghnob National Park

The CEPF-supported project “Strengthening co-management in Yaghnob National Park, Tajikistan” aimed to strengthen conservation and community wellbeing in one of the country’s most remote mountain valleys, supporting capacity building in wildlife monitoring, sustainable tourism, and collaborative management.

Yaghnob Valley in northern Tajikistan is a region known for its unique mountain biodiversity and the cultural heritage of the Yaghnobi people. Following the establishment of Yaghnob National Park in 2019, the project focused on strengthening co-management between park authorities and local communities, recognising their central role in safeguarding both the landscape and local traditions. Project activities included wildlife surveys using camera traps—documenting snow leopard, lynx, ibex, bears, and many other mammals as well as birds—while building the skills of park rangers and community members to continue long-term monitoring. The project also supported sustainable livelihood development through trail mapping, information boards, yurt-based tourism initiatives, and training events that help residents benefit from responsible tourism.

Additional components touched on education and awareness, particularly among Yaghnobi youth, and strengthening park governance through management recommendations, capacity building. Together, these efforts offered a holistic approach integrating ecological and cultural continuity along with community development in one of Central Asia’s most remarkable mountain valleys.

Yagnob Project by Plateau Perspectives on Exposure href=”https://exposure.co” style=”text-transform:uppercase”>Exposure