Postcard from Bishkek

Trying to find a catchy title for postcards can be quite challenging.  The aim is to grab the reader’s attention and, at the same time, give them some idea about what the postcard is all about …

To give you a couple of examples from last week, for example, sometimes a straight forward title like Panfilov Park will suffice – it tells the reader exactly what the post is all about, (… mind you, that sort of assumes that they are already aware that there is Panfilov Park here in Bishkek).  On other occasions, some catchy phrase comes to mind, for example like A Bigger Splash.  The topic was swimming pools in Bishkek and the title came from a famous painting by David Hockney.  I toyed with the idea of calling the postcard things like Dive In or Take the Plunge or In the Swim of Things … but in the end I settled on A Bigger Splash.

The trouble with that is the headline can be oblique – or even downright obtuse … and it is not always clear what the post is really about – thus confusing some readers.

As it happens, it seems I am not the only one to face this dilemma.  When, for example,  I saw the headline Snow leopards and wild yaks becoming ‘fashion victims’ on the Guardian website, I got totally the wrong idea. I thought to myself … “How is that even possible?   How can anyone think of them as “fashionable“?”  

Please don’t misunderstand me – I am not opposed to the fur trade per se, although I would prefer not to see people wearing fur coats or hats … there are, after all, plenty of serviceable alternatives available these days.  I do understand, however, that traditional clothing – such as fur hats – may make use of animal skins, owl feathers … and so on, and I recognize that there is a place for them.

Also, I have to admit that I do wear leather shoes, (sandals in the summer), use a leather belt to hold up my trousers … and so on.

On the other hand … Snow leopards are an endangered species, and as such they are protected.   I know that there are special arrangements made for hunting – and that some people think that hunting helps efforts to preserve them … although I am not convinced of that myself.

Later this year, (with the help of the World Bank and the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union), Bishkek is going to host a major Wildlife summit, (or Forum), dedicated to measures to protect the species.  It is hoped that the summit will approve a global program for snow leopards protection in 12 countries where these animals live.    

As it happens, the Snow leopard is one of the main symbols of Kyrgyzstan, it’s the symbol of Bishkek, statues of them are posted at various intervals along the main Bishkek – Issyk Kul highway, and two stand guard over the entrance to Naryn.  

The Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union, (NABU – a charity based in Germany but which has been active in Kyrgyzstan for something like 20 years, where they sponsor and help run a small zoo and a reserve for Snow Leopards), say that there are 250 snow leopards in Kyrgyzstan, whereas there were only 180 animals less than ten years ago, (although at the end of last year, President Atambaev referred to there being “around 315″). 

USAID and the World Wildlife Fund, (WWF), are also involved, funding a 4.7 million dollar project called the“Conservation and Adaptation in Asia’s High Mountain Landscapes and Communities Project”, which is aimed at helping to improve the motivation for conservation in local communities, getting people to engage in the conservation of these big cats, linking the issue to a broader set of environmental, economic, and social issues and the consequences for Asia’s future sustainability including local livelihoods, water and food security, and climate change adaptation. The primary goal of the project is to stimulate a greater understanding and action at all levels, (local, national and regional), across the range of countries where the animals are found, such as Bhutan, India, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan … and, of course, Kyrgyzstan. 

Even Kumtor, the troubled Gold Mine, is involved. Together with Fauna & Flora International, (FFI – a leading international conservation organization), they have launched a biodiversity project in the Issyk-Kul region. This project builds on 10 years of collaboration between FFI and the Sarychat-Ertash Nature Reserve (SENR). To build on this foundation, and further benefit the biodiversity in the region, the existing SENR Management Plan will be updated and formalized at the national level; there will be scientific research and monitoring as well as “community outreach” and training sessions and technical support. 

The first impressions I had garnered from the headline turned out, however, to be totally wrong … I suppose that the mention of Yaks in the headline should have given me pause for thought … they are not exactly an endangered species. Knowing, however, that Yak Tails were used as a badge of office in ancient China, and among the Mongol Horde, I wondered if this was being resurrected as a retro fashion item.

The article, however, wasn’t about the Snow Leopard being used by “dedicated followers of fashion” as a “fashionable item” … but, rather, about how they are, indirectly, “victims” of some current “fashion” trends – especially the worldwide demand for Cashmere wool. Apparently, it has become a multi-billion dollar industry.

Cashmere wool?! So, what’s the story … what’s the connection with the Snow Leopard?

 

Both the Snow Leopard and Yaks inhabit the same sort of highland landscapes … and these areas are more and more being pressed into service by local farmers … to raise the goats from which the lightweight Cashmere wool is harvested. As more and more grassland that previously supported antelopes, wild asses, Przewalski horse, Bactrian camels, siaga and wild yaks … oh yes, and the predators which naturally feed on them, (for example, the Snow Leopard) … are now being turned into pastures for the growing herds of goat. In Mongolia, the number of goats has almost tripled in the last twenty years and a new survey has shown that something 95% of the grassland across the Tibetan Plateau is now used as pasture for goats, sheep and other livestock – leaving just 5% for wild animals … and their predators, (for example, the Snow Leopard).

Deprived of access to their traditional prey, the big cats often take the domestic animals they come across … and this has led to “retaliatory” hunting of wolves and Snow Leopards – after all, the herdsman sees their livelihood under threat from these animals.

The report highlighted three measures that I presume, (and hope), the Bishkek Summit will consider and support – even if there are potential difficulties with implementing them … and I can see one or two.

One measure was for consumers to pay “bonuses” – a premium price” – for Cashmere wool to communities that don’t shoot these animals – or poach other wild animals. Another was improving the corrals where the goats live in order to prevent the predators from gaining access to and killing them … and a third was a pilot “insurance scheme” implemented in Pakistan where the farmers are compensated for animals lost, taken as prey by predators.

 

Whatever, the report underlined the importance of taking an overall, holistic, view – considering the economic and social issues – just as the USAID/WWF and FFI/Kumtor projects aim to do.

 

Incidentally, it’s well worth taking a look at the article - even if I have encapsulated here most of what it said – if just for the magnificent photographs … and, (assuming it is still there), in order to click on the link to the video of rare footage of snow leopard recorded in north-west China, (just in case they’ve moved the link I have included it anyway!)

 

Tags: Expat, Fauna_and_Flora, In_the_News