Arstanbap

The Arstanbap forest in the south of Kyrgyzstan is known for its uniqueness and beautiful scenery. According to specialists, the forest is over 40 million years old. Some trees are 500-700 years old, 2 meters in diameter and 30 meters in height. Most likely, this is the origin of walnuts. A well known story suggests walnut forests in Greece arose as Alexander the Great warriors took walnuts back home from here. As the largest wild walnut forest in the world it has unmatched unique diversity of trees and shrubs. It is home for many animal and bird species. Egemberdi Nyshanov is the leader of the Association of Forest Users in Arstanbap. Together with Arstanbap Forestry, they work to protect the forests and its biodiversity, try to enlarge the forest areas. Each year local people harvest walnuts, apples, pistachio, cherry plums, barberry, and medicinal herbs. On the open areas they grow crops, use lands as pastures, and practice bee-keeping. Our forests sustain us, – says Egemberdi, – our ancestors preserved these forests until now, now we need to do even better to be able to pass them on to the next generations. And they need to preserve our forests for generations to come. That is why we need to cherish our forests, and treat them kindly like we treat our own children.