State wildlife sanctuary "Qumsulton"

Qumsulton reserve – a reserve located between the Jondor and Qoravulbozor districts of Bukhara region.

Establishment

The “Qumsulton” reserve was established by the decision No. 2/183 of the Bukhara region governor dated April 14, 1998. The reserve’s stock in this area is unlimited. The total area of the region is 4.9 thousand hectares. The main purpose of establishing the reserve is the protection of migratory birds and other animals, their habitats and reproduction.

Description

The reserve is located in the Jondor and Qorovulbozor districts of Bukhara region. It is situated 74 km from Bukhara and 35 km from the town of Qorovulbozor. Because of the abundance of both water and land areas, this area is rich in flora and fauna. The area does not have loose sand and sand dunes, only hard sand hills. The relief of the reserve is flat. The nature of the soil and its moisture level determine the development of the vegetation cover.

Vegetation cover

In sandy places, saksovul, several species of suzerain (Ammodendron conollyi, A. karelini, A. lehmannii) and candim (C. caput, C. oriopodum) are widespread, together with cherkez (Salsola richteri), sand akatsiya, astragal (Astragalus villosissimus).

Important places along the canals and lake are covered with broom thistles (genus Tamarix, Tamarix laxe, Tamarix litvinovii), fuel (Alhagi canescens) as well as a mixture of saltwort (Salsola turcomanica, Salsola foliosa, Halimocnemus villosa, Halocnemum strobilaceum). Along the reservoir grow a type of poplar (Populus pruinosa) and common poplar (Populus diversitolia), spreading horse-tail (Equisetum ramosissimum). Reed (Phragmites communis), broad-leaved mugwort (Tupa lafifolia), and other species such as boshoq urut, pemfigus, etc., also grow.

Animal world

Among the prey species, mainly hares (Lepus tolai pallas) and small rodents—mostly squirrels and gerbils—are common. The reserve also has common beavers (Ondatra zibethicus). However, their numbers are very variable. Animals such as the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), corsac (Vilpes corsac), steppe cat (Felis libica), badger (Meles meles), and weasel (Canisaureus) are widespread. Among the carnivorous animals, wild boar (Sus scrofa) and the goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) can be encountered.

Birds

In this sanctuary, the wild birds include: Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Pterocles orentalis), White-bellied Sandgrouse (Pterocles alchata), Saja (Syrrhaptes paradoxus), and Beautiful Bustard (Chlamydotis undulata). There are also many species of raptors, among which are species listed in the Red Book.

The reserve serves as a concentration area for water birds and semi-aquatic birds during seasonal migrations. Many birds also stay here to nest. It should be noted that the reserve also hosts species that require special protection, including: the little cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmaeus), the pink pelican (Pelicanus onocrotalus), the crested pelican (Pelicanus crispus), and from the family Anatidae: the mute swan (Cygnus olor), the white-eyed duck (Aythya nyroca), the long-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus Leucoryhus), the white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) and the black-headed gull (Larus ichthyaetus). All of these species are currently considered at risk of extinction.