Arnasai ornitological sanctuary

Arnasoy State Ornithological Reserve – established in 1983 in Tuzkon Lake of Jizzakh region (now Aydar Lake, Tuzkon, Arnasoy lakes have merged). Area equals 635,000 ga (6,350 km2; 2,450 sq mi). Its southern part is at 205 meters above sea level, the northern part is around the green bridge, where the hunting society office is located, at 204 meters above sea level, the eastern part borders land where the “Tuzkon” 3rd state control point of the Aydar-Arnasoy lakes aquatory is located. That area is at 203 meters above sea level, the western part is at 206 meters above sea level.

Establishment

According to the decree № 521 of the Council of Ministers of the Uzbek SSR dated September 9 1983, it was established in Tuzkon Lake in the Farish district of Jizzakh region. Its area consisted of 633,000 ga (6,330 km2; 2,440 sq mi), and the current land area amounts to 633,264 ga (6,332.64 km2; 2,445.05 sq mi). The purpose of establishment is to protect migratory and resident birds. The reserve was organized under the jurisdiction of the State Fisheries Committee of the Uzbek SSR.

Description

Protection of the reserve is carried out by the State Committee for Ecology and Environmental Protection – Jizzakh Region Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection and the “Tuzkon” State Control Inspection of the Aydar-Arnasoy lakes aquatory. All types of hunting are prohibited in the reserve area, but fishing is permitted. Signposts are placed along the reserve boundary warning that it is a protected area.

Conservation

It is carried out during rapid patrols by the “Tuzkon” state control inspectors of the Aydar-Arnasoy lakes aquatory.

Location

The village of Navroʻz fishermen is located near Tuzkon Lake. Fishing brigades are situated along the shore. Not far from Navroʻz, there are other settlements connected by asphalt road.

Vegetation cover

Saline areas occur in small quantities. The nature of the soils and their moisture level determine the development of the vegetation cover. In sandy places there are saksovul, several species of suzerain (Ammodendron conollyi, A. karelini, A. lehmannii) and qandim (Calligonum caput, C. oriopodum). On the shores of water bodies important sites are occupied by tamarisk thickets (Tamarix hispida, T. laxe, T. litvinovii), fuel plants (Alhagi canescens) and shrubs (Salsola turcomanica, S. foliosa, Halimocnemum villosum, H. strobilaceum). Along the water bodies a small amount of poplar (Populus pruinosa) and white poplar (P. diversitolia) grow. Reed (Phragmites communis), broad‑leaf cat’s‑ear (Tupha lafifolia), spikelet, pemfigus and others are found in areas close to the reservoir.

Animal world

The sanctuary combines three water reservoirs – Tuzkon, Arnasoy and Aydar. It is rich in waterfowl and semi-aquatic birds. Its territory contains many islands, on which there are many bird colonies – swimmers. Many wild boars lived there. However, since the early 1990s the water level in the lakes began to rise and the islands gradually eroded and became covered with water.

Migratory birds (bufflehead, teal (fisher bird), coot and others) and wild ducks, geese and other birds that build nests and raise their young are protected here. Large bird colonies live in the area, water‑dwelling birds and aquatic animals are also widespread. Among the reeds and thickets along the coast live otters, foxes, hares, reed mice and other animals. In the lake there are many fish species such as crucian carp, perch, and loach.

The animal world is mainly represented by hydrophilic species:

birds of prey

pigeons