Surkhan State Nature Reserve

Surkhan State Nature Reserve — a reserve consisting of two separate areas — the eastern slope of Mount Ko‘hitang and Payg‘ambarorod — located in the north‑western part of Sherobod District, Surkhandarya Region. The Payg‘ambarorod sector was established in 1971 to protect valley‑steppe ecosystems and Bukhara goats. In 1986 the Ko‘hitang State Order Reserve was merged with the Payg‘ambarorod Reserve and became the Surkhan State Nature Reserve.

It involves protecting the flora and fauna of the reserve area, conducting studies and scientific research. The part of Ko‘hitang (850–3157 m above sea level) that belongs to the mountain‑forest ecosystem of the Surkhan State Nature Reserve (area 24 583 ha) has a rich hydrographic network, numerous small and large streams, and major rivers such as Laylakon and Qizilolmasoy. The reserve area contains the famous Zarautsoy paintings. In Ko‘hitang there are Turkestan and Zarafshan arches (8 033 ha), Turkestan zaran (104 ha), turong‘il (512 ha), Bukhara almond (891 ha), jiyda (183 ha), sweet almond, apricot, walnut, pistachio, saksovul, butalar and other plants. There are 810 species of plants, 29 of which are listed in the Red Book of Uzbekistan. In the mountains and foothills there are Turkestan silov, morkhor, Asian mouflon, wolf, fox, hare, wildcat, various poisonous snakes and about 130 species of birds.

The park’s Prophet’s Tomb site (a small island in the Amudarya – area 8, width 5 km; 3044 ha) consists of forest and steppe (until 1986 it was an independent reserve established to preserve the natural flora and fauna of model steppe ecosystems). 970 hectares consist of forest, the remaining part consists of meadow, floodplain, riverbank and mixed steppe. Also, the island hosts tamarisk, willow and poplar trees. In the steppes grow sagebrush, wild sage, reed grass, and among the birds: hawk, eagle, buzzard, kite; the Indian jackal, reptiles such as sand lizard, turtles, vipers, snakes and many others. In the 12th–13th centuries the island was a sacred pilgrimage site. According to legends, one of the Muslim saints was buried on the island and a Zulkifl mosque was built over his grave. Therefore, Muslims called this island a sacred place, i.e., “Prophet’s Tomb”.