Tajikistan has begun drafting a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan — a landmark document that will shape the country’s long-term vision for environmental protection, sustainable resource management, and low-carbon development.

The document was the focus of a national conference held on October 28–29, 2025, at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Dushanbe. The event brought together representatives from the government, academia, private sector, and civil society to address the country’s ecological future.

The strategy aims to answer pressing questions: How Tajikistan can protect its unique ecosystems, halt habitat degradation, adapt to climate change, and turn environmental conservation into a driver of sustainable development and green business.

According to participants, adopting the strategy will mark a shift from fragmented, short-term environmental efforts to a more systematic and strategic approach. It will also help define a vision for a carbon-neutral and resilient future aligned with national priorities and global commitments.

Three major threats to biodiversity

Dr. Abdusattor Saidov, a Doctor of Sciences in Biology and Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, outlined three primary threats to the nation’s biodiversity: 1) habitat degradation; 2) overexploitation of natural resources; and 3) climate change.

He stressed that the destruction of ecosystems and loss of animal and plant habitats are leading to the disappearance of rare species. One of the key proposals in the strategy is to expand protected natural areas from the current 22% (31,500 square kilometers) to 28% — over 40,000 square kilometers.

Red Book warnings and the push for sustainable resource use

Dr. Saidov also highlighted the alarming consequences of unsustainable resource use. The latest edition of Tajikistan’s Red Book — the national registry of endangered species — now includes 242 animal species and 304 plant species, a rise of 20 species compared to previous years.

“We don’t want to see the Red Book continue to grow thicker,” he said, calling for a nationwide shift to sustainable practices and a more responsible attitude toward ecosystem management.

Climate change: a rising threat

Climate change remains one of the gravest threats to biodiversity in Tajikistan. Experts say 2025 has been the driest year in the past decade, with a severe lack of precipitation negatively impacting many species.

The strategy emphasizes the need for scientifically informed adaptation and restoration measures to combat the effects of climate change on ecosystems across the country.

New approaches, new opportunities

The draft strategy also promotes innovative approaches, including expanding funding sources for conservation programs, increasing women's participation in environmental decision-making, and fostering eco-friendly rural businesses built on sustainable use of natural resources.

It also underscores the importance of improving governance through stronger political and institutional frameworks.

The conference was held under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, a UN initiative adopted in 2022. Among Central Asian countries, only Kazakhstan has adopted a similar strategy so far.

The event concluded with a symbolic concert titled “Sounds of Nature”, offering a poignant reminder of the need for harmony between humanity and the natural world.