Ecotourism of Uzbekistan. Commonity Based Tourism

8/2/2019 Ecotourism of Uzbekistan. Commonity Based Tourism

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ECOTOURISM IN UZBEKISTAN:

A CONCEPT OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMICAL

DEVELOPMENT, 2004-2006

Alisher Taksanov, Ph.D. (Economics),National coordinator for Uzbekistan, 2005-2006, Tashkent

EuropAID West Tien Shan Interstate Biodiversity Project for Central Asia

INTRODUCTION. Tacis West Tien Shan Interstate Biodiversity Project (WTSBP) providessupports for the GEF Central Asia Biodiversity Conservation Project in the West Tien Shan. Theemphasis of the Tacis project is upon sustainable social and economic development in the bufferzones.

The project has 3 Objectives:- to reinforce, harmonise and support the implemntationof the legal frmewor relevant to

environmental conservation in the three parner countries- to carryout a programme of treining andprofessional development to increase the skills and

knowledge of the stake holders, inoorder to protect the biodiversity andlandscape of the West TienShan (WTS) and to ensure sustainable and economic devleopmetn, and

- to develop mechanisms and to implement plans to enable cross=order cooperation amongprotected areas (PAs), forestry and local authoriteees to create an integrated approach to themanagement and monitoring of the territories of the WTS.

The expected results of the project are:- Recommendations to introduce necessary changes into the national legislation related to

biodiversity conservation in the three countries.- Productive cooperation with local communities, staff of the specially protected areas, local

administrations, regional government agencies and NGOs.- Increased opportunities for economic activity and employment of local communities.- Reduced dependence o the communities on resources of the specially protected areas.- Improved pubic awareness on relationship between the environment and economic and

social situation of local communities.Tourism is one of the components of the project as a means of improving the economic and

social conditions in the local communities around the protected areas of the West Tien Shan. Thebiodiversity of the region is a major potential attraction for visitors to the area upon which to developa thriving tourism industry. The project has identified the tourism resources and markets, andundertaken training and provided technical support to persons in the local communities around the

protected areas and to stakeholders involved in the development of tourism through a series of

workshops in the region an from the project base in Bishkek. The project has also supported thepreparation of a number of leaflets, booklets and other material for publication the which giveinformation and advice for tourists, tour operators and entrepreneurs providing accommodation andother tourism facilities and services, particularly at the community level.

The project team put forward the following objectives for the development of tourism in theWest Tien Shan region:

- Conservation and enhancement of the environment and heritage of the WTS- Development of small scale ecotourism on the basis of the natural and cultural attractions of

the WTS- Promote community based tourism (CBT) in the communities of the WTS- Provide training and advice to raise the capacity of local people to participate in ecotourism

in the WTS.


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- Improve the quantity and quality of tourist facilities to attract higher paying tourists fromabroad

- This document provides and introduction to the context for development of ecotourism in theWTS and makes recommendations on the way forward particularly in the areas around the Ugam-Chatkal National Nature Park and Chatkal Zapovednik.TOURISM TERMS:

Tour operator. An organisation specialised in preparing product packages sold either directly (a 'directseller') or through travel agents to the customerTravel agent. An organisation selling mainly package tours from tour operators and transportationtickets to the customerDestination. Country, region or location visited by tourists for a holiday or other purposes (i.e.

business, research)Domestic tourism. Domestic tourists are inhabitants of the destination country but not of thedestination areaProduct. A natural, cultural or human quality made accessible for tourists with the help of certainfacilities or servicesProduct package. A tourist product such as a tour or a complete arrangement, as published in a travel

brochure. Usually a combination of transport, accommodation, food and activities / excursionsIncoming or inbound tour operator. A tour operator at a destination who receives tourists from anoutgoing tour operator in the source countryOutgoing or outbound tour operator. A tour operator in the tourist source country sending tourists toa foreign destinationECOTOURISM TERMS:

Sustainable tourism. This can be defined as tourism that meets the needs of tourists and hostregions while protecting and enhancing opportunities for the future. It is envisaged as leading tomanagement of all resources in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilledwhile preserving social and cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and lifesupport systems. Sustainable tourism is a management approach applicable to both mass tourism andsmall-scale ecotourism.

Nature-based tourism. Tourism that occurs in a natural setting and often focuses on activitiesin this specific natural setting, such as walking, safari trips, climbing, rafting, horse riding, skitrekking etc.

Ecotourism. Nature based tourism in relatively undisturbed natural areas that involveseducation on and awareness of the natural environment and is managed to be ecologically sustainable

Ecotourism industry. That sector of the tourism industry directly involved in ecotourismoperations, the development of ecotourism operations and/or the provision of services for ecotourismoperations

Natural areas. Existing in, or formed by nature; not artificial; also incorporates cultural

aspectsRegion. An area which surrounds a protected area with boundaries considered relevant forsustainable tourism development. The region should be based on the unique characteristics andidentity of an area and offer recognisable ecotourism products and services. Existing and futuretourism supply (transport, accommodation and activities) will have to be identified, including pointsof attraction, natural and cultural heritage.

Ecotourism region. An ecotourism region is the combination of physical, biological, social,cultural and managerial conditions that give value to a place. A region includes qualities provided bynature (vegetation, landscape, topography, scenery), qualities associated with ecotourism use(intensity and types of use) and conditions provided by management (development, access,regulations). By combining variations of these qualities and conditions, a variety of ecotourism

opportunities can be provided in each of the different regions

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Carrying capacity. The number of visitors/tourists that an area can receive within adetermined span of time (day, year, season) without causing negative ecological, socio-economiccultural and, psychological impacts.

The psychological capacity safeguards the quality of the tourism product as perceived by thetourist, and refers to negative impacts on the perception of the tourist/ visitor, including crowding,conflicts between different user groups. Ecological carrying capacity includes avoiding negative

impacts on ecosystems, habitats, species and geomorphology. Socio-economic carrying capacityincludes avoiding negative impacts on the quality of life of communities and their social structure(conflicts, social division), on the economic structure (negative impacts on local ownership andcontrol, diversification of economy, employment etc.). Cultural carrying capacity includes avoidingnegative effects on the identity and way of life of communities, on their religion, and, their culturalheritage etc.

Stakeholders. All parties (communities, institutions, government organisations, non-government organisations (NGO)), enterprises, organisations representing economic and socialsectors and persons) whose participation and/or support can be considered necessary and/or useful inorder to realise the conservation goals of the protected area and to guarantee the success of thesustainable tourism development strategy.

SWOT analysis. An analytical tool that helps to differentiate the Strengths, Weaknesses,Opportunities and Threats of a proposed development strategy

Zoning. The division of a territory into specific zones for specific purposes, based on anevaluation of the area's physical and social carrying capacity and its tourism potential. Zones in whichno or only a limited level of development is allowed, ensure optimal environmental conservation

DEFINING ECOTOURISM. Ecotourism is often used interchangeably with other termssuch as nature-based tourism, sustainable tourism, green tourism, responsible tourism and softtourism. While some elements of these different tourism types are the same, the terms are neithersynonymous nor mutually exclusive. Ecotourism is a subset of nature-based tourism - tourism thatoccurs in a natural setting. Some ecotourism experiences may include the activities of other nature-

based tourism types such as adventure tourism in which the focus is on the activity, e.g. trekking onhorseback or canoeing. The following ecotourism definition is most commonly used:

"Ecotourism is nature-based tourism that involves education and interpretation of the natural

environment and is managed to be ecologically, socially and culturally sustainable

This definition recognises that 'natural environment' includes cultural components and that'ecologically sustainable' involves an appropriate return to the local community and long-termconservation of the resource. It notes that ecotourism, like any other type of tourism, should beecologically sustainable, provide visitor satisfaction, local benefits and be 'appropriate' to itsenvironmental and cultural setting. 'Appropriate' means being compatible in style, sizes and type ofoperation with the scale and character of the landscape and in tune with the local inhabitants.

Interest in ecotourism has arisen from a combination of increasing demand for authentic

tourist experiences and increasing interest in environmental conservation. Ecotourism occupies aspecialist niche within tourism. It includes forms of tourism that are consistent with natural, culturaland community values and that promote cultural and environmental interaction in authentic naturalsettings. Ecotourism is at the leading edge of the overall 'greening' of tourism in which environmentalaspects are a high priority. In some cases, it may need only a small shift of focus for a nature-basedtourism operation to become an ecotourism operation.

A major benefit for encouraging ecotourism is that it integrates tourism and conservation thusproviding an economic incentive for environmental protection. Also beneficial is the value ofincreasing awareness and appreciation of the relationship between natural settings and the diverserange of cultural perspectives of the community. A key challenge is to ensure balance so that theecotourism industry can be commercially viable, ecologically sustainable and culturally responsible.

The term ecotourism has been open to misinterpretation by planners, operators, managers,marketers and the media, with the result that it has been used to describe a range of products that donot fall within the above definitions. This broad use of the term has led to debate throughout the

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industry and receiving communities and has led to the creation of other terms, including sustainable,minimal impact, community based and responsible tourism. None of these definitions oralternative terms provides a discrete test that will precisely distinguish ecotourism from other formsof tourism.

ELEMENTS OF ECOTOURISM. All tourism should be sustainable - ecologically, socially,culturally and economically. Ecotourism differs from other forms of tourism by its dependence on the

protection of natural ecosystems so that they, and their associated cultural values, can be visited andinterpreted. The challenge for the tourism industry is to develop ecotourism capacity and the qualityof its product without adversely affecting the environment on which it depends. This involvesensuring that the type, location and level of ecotourism use do not harm the natural areas and thatmanagement is adequate to sustain appropriate levels of ecotourism.

Revenue raised from ecotourism should be used to maintain ecological sustainability byproviding supporting infrastructure, which will avoid damage to the natural environment for exampleboardwalks, toilets, and camping grounds. Infrastructure can also educate visitors about minimisingimpacts on the natural environment (e.g. interpreted walks and interpretation centres).

Managers of natural areas need to consider the requirements of ecosystems, allowableactivities under the form of tenure and management regimes and the appropriate locations for various

ecotourism activities, as well as the social needs of visitors (e.g. crowding, presentation of the area).Different management techniques such as permit conditions, infrastructure provision and

styles of presentation can allow for maintaining or increasing visitor use of an area. However, limitingaccess to and use of sensitive environmental areas for ecotourism ventures may be required at times toavoid overuse, preserve biodiversity and ensure opportunities exist for different types of ecotourism.

Following are some of the main elements and principles of sound ecotourism:

The natural environment

Ecological and cultural sustainability

Contribution to conservation

Education and interpretation

Provision of local benefits and participation Visitor satisfaction

Responsible marketingNatural environment. Ecotourism relies on use of the natural environment and includes a

focus on biological and physical features. Ecotourism occurs in and depends on the natural setting andmay include cultural elements where they occur in largely natural settings. The conservation ofnatural areas and natural resource management is therefore essential to the planning, development andmanagement of ecotourism.

Many natural areas have significant ethnic and cultural values. Although the focus ofecotourism is on the natural values of an area, it is impractical to separate the natural and culturalcomponents of ecotourism. Therefore, for the purposes of this project, the term 'ecotourism' can

embrace the sustainable use of cultural as well as natural assets.

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Ecological and cultural sustainability. Tourism activity that degrades the environment,adversely affects the local community or fails to return worthwhile economic benefits is notsustainable in the long term. Ecotourism is managed to avoid or minimise negative impacts and toconfer benefits on host communities and environments for present and future generations. Ecotourismcan involve active participation by tourists and tour operators in the conservation of an area. Forexample, visitors may participate in scientific monitoring or rehabilitation projects, or may contribute

financially to the management of an area. Planning for ecotourism is based on resource constraints.When an area exceeds its capacity to absorb the impacts of uses to which it is put, or if its biodiversityand physical appearance are altered significantly. The impacts of ecotourism can be managed throughthe recognition and application of sustainable practices. For example, environmental impacts can bemanaged using facility design, equipment and waste management practices that minimise impact,

both at the site of the activity and in terms of broader resource use.Contribution to conservation. Ecotourists and ecotourism operators can contribute to

conservation in a variety of ways. The form of contribution must first be negotiated between naturalresource managers and ecotourism operators to provide the greatest benefit for conservation withinthe means of the operators. Ecotourism operator contributions could include, but would not be limitedto, participating in or supporting research and monitoring of wildlife or the impacts of visitation,

assisting in management of the natural resource or returning a percentage of revenue for themanagement of the natural area. Examples of how independent visitors and members of the localcommunity could contribute to conservation include: adhering to visitor codes of practice andexercising minimal impact techniques, participating in management surveys, reporting inappropriate

behaviour to managers and rangers, picking up litter on route and participating in organisedcommunity service activities in the area such as cleanups, weeding and scientific research on wildlife.

Education and interpretation. Ecotourism's educative characteristic is a key element, whichdistinguishes it from other parts of nature-based tourism. Environmental education and interpretationare important tools in creating an enjoyable and meaningful ecotourism experience. Ecotourismattracts people who wish to interact with the environment and, in varying degrees, develop theirknowledge, awareness and appreciation of it. By extension, ecotourism should ideally lead to positiveaction for the environment by fostering enhanced conservation, environmental and cultural awareness.Environmental education can influence visitor, community and tourism industry behaviour and assistin the long-term sustainability of tourism activity in natural areas. Environmental education andinterpretation help visitors see the big and little picture of the environment. It acknowledges thenatural and cultural values of the area, resource management needs and the complexity andinterdependence of the natural environment.

It is one of the tasks of the Ecotourism operators to provide an appropriate level ofenvironmental and cultural interpretation, usually through the employment of appropriate qualifiedguides and the provision of information prior to and during the trip.

The level and type of education will depend on the interests and expectations of the visitor and

will include a broad range of educational opportunities through interpretation, interactive approachesand the use of various media. This educational or interpretative component may acknowledge thenatural and cultural values of a destination and could also address issues such as resourcemanagement and the role and attitude of the host community.

Local benefits and participation. The benefits of ecotourism should be equitably distributedwith significant benefits accruing to the local community, even though ecotourism businesses may be

based in other communities or involve national or multinational ownership. Local benefits may accruefrom the use of locally based operators, the employment of local guides and use of specialised localknowledge, the purchase of provisions and services and the use of local facilities.

These benefits should outweigh the cost of ecotourism to the host community andenvironment, although the benefits and costs are difficult to measure. Ecotourism generally returns

revenue or other benefits for resource conservation and management, as well as bringing social andcultural benefits to locals and visitors alike. It therefore offers a positive approach to tourismdevelopment in these areas.

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The involvement of local communities may benefit communities and the environment whileimproving the quality of the visitor experience. Local communities can be involved in ecotourismoperations and help provide knowledge, services, facilities and products that, in turn, can provideemployment. The benefits of ecotourism should outweigh any cost to the host community andenvironment. Ecotourism should also generate income for resource conservation and management tohelp maintain environmental values that are important to the community.

Visitor satisfaction. Visitor satisfaction with the ecotourism experience is essential to theecotourism industry's long-term viability. The ecotourism experience should match or exceed visitors'realistic expectations. Client service and satisfaction, an integral part of the product, should be secondonly to the conservation and protection of each area visited. Visitor enjoyment will be facilitated by:

quality assurance and best practice;

an ecotourism accreditation system;

a broad range of ecotourism products suitable for different styles of ecotourism, land tenures andmanagement regimes;

adequate and environmental sensitive infrastructure which does not compete with the naturalenvironment;

adequate consideration of the needs of local communities;

responsible marketing which gives realistic expectations of ecotourism experiences in eachnatural area; and

appropriate planning and management.Responsible marketing. Realisation of ecotourism opportunities relies to a large extent on

marketing - making potential visitors aware of the available opportunities and matching demand withsupply. In the field of ecotourism, marketing can often be a challenge since:

the industry includes many small operators who, on their own, do not have the necessaryresources to market on the national or international level; and

operators may be based in relatively remote locations where they do not have ready access tonecessary marketing skills and resources.

Visitors need to have realistic expectations and understanding of the tourism experiences onoffer to help them choose a product suitable for their needs and the experiences they desire. In termsof ecotourism, responsible marketing will inform potential visitors of the type of activities availableand appropriate in particular areas.

The 'Growth-Peak-Decline' Cycle. Tourism in an area often suffers from what has beencalled the 'growth-peak-decline' model first proposed by Butler (1980). He identified that, asdestinations or attractions become popular, they proceed through a cycle of growth, peak and decline.This process describes a 'cycle of evolution' with tourist locations passing through distinct stages.Each stage of the cycle is characterised by different environmental perceptions and uses.

By providing the impetus for small-scale development in areas valued for their environmentaland cultural attributes, ecotourism may be followed by additional development to accommodateincreasing visitor numbers. The long-term outcome of this process could be a fundamental change inthe quality of the visitor experience, including the destruction of the values that initially attracted thevisitors and a loss of value of investments. There are many examples around the world notably in

beach-based tourism.Planning for sustainable tourism requires long-term approaches aimed at establishing the

location and scale of appropriate infrastructure and mechanisms for its careful management.Ecologically sustainable management practices will avoid the growth-peak-decline process.

Styles of Ecotourism. In planning for and managing ecotourism, it is important to be aware ofthe different styles of ecotourism. These may vary considerably in the:

types of natural settings required;

extent of direct experiences and interaction with the natural environment; group sizes involved;

use and extent of personal interaction with tour guides;

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reliance on mechanised transport and supporting infrastructure; and

types of visitor experience.For the purpose of the WTS project, three broad ecotourism styles have been identified which

need to meet the principles of ecotourism identified earlier. The various characteristics of each styleare outlined in the following table 1.

Table 1. The various characteristics of each style are outlined in the followingCriteria Self-reliant ecotourism Small group ecotourism Popular ecotourism

Main methods oftravel duringecotourism activity

Non-motorised travel

by foot, horse or

mountain bike

Non-motorised or

motorised low-capacity

transport such as car,

4WD, mini bus or

mountain bikes

Motorised high capacity

transport such as larger bus

Supportinginfrastructureneeds

Only those structures

and facilities needed

for public safety,

environmental

protection or

interpretation

Roads, toilet facilities,

campgrounds and

interpretative displays

Possibly permanent

accommodation facilities

and some site hardening

in popular areas

Full range of facilities

generally expected of high

quality recreation tourism

Group sizes Generally 10 or fewer Generally 30 or fewer No clear limit

Degree of self-reliance required

High Moderate/low Low

Level of knowledge/skillsrequired

Moderate/high

knowledge and skill

base required to make

most of the opportunity

Moderate/low knowledge

and skills base required

to make most of the

opportunity

Little knowledge and skills

base required to enjoy the

opportunity

Style of management

Primarily an off-sitestyle of management

through environmental

education and

information

A mixture of on-site andoff-site management

techniques

A high degree of obvious on-site management

Likely nature ofoutcomes

Very much a 'hands on'

experience where

participants learn

about the intricacies of

biological and cultural

systems

An increased

understanding and

knowledge of the

environment of the area

which is probably

unfamiliar to the visitor

A general introduction to the

areas ecosystems and some

of their special

characteristics

Examples of activities/settings

Walking in nature withan environmental

educational focus; yurt

camps, guided horse

trekking, and bird

watching study groups

Interpreted tours in theforest; self guided

mountain drives or

walks; interpretation of

flora and fauna

ecosystems; guided bird

watching tours; guided

visit to traditional

shepherd camps

understanding their

interaction with / impact

on the natural

environment

High capacity educationaltrips; guided bus trips tours

to various attractive sites.

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There are also other nature-based tourism activities which are related to ecotourism and cancomplement an ecotourism experience, but which are not within the definition of ecotourism.Examples of such activities include:

visitor centres and ex situ displays of native flora and fauna;

aquarium displaying native marine life and vegetation;

native plant collections and botanical gardens;

Collections of native fauna and zoos; Designed nature-based theme parks; and

virtual reality experiences.While all these examples can have substantial environmental educational and interpretative

components and similar objectives to ecotourism, they do not occur in and depend on a natural settingand are therefore not considered as ecotourism.

Supporting infrastructure availability. While the ecotourism experience tends not to makegreat demands on services or generally require major infrastructure, the participants in ecotourismhave:

transport needs both into and within the ecotourism area;

accommodation needs; and

demands for retail and other products during their visit.Stakeholders. The following ecotourism stakeholders can be identified, each of them having a

range of potential roles in ecotourism:

Tourism industry

Ecotourism industry

Visitors

National government

Regional government

Local government

Natural resource managers (including property owners) Nature conservation groups and organisations

Local communities

Educational and research institutions and other professional interest groups.Conditions for sustainable ecotourism development and management. The following

principles and recommendations for ecotourism development should relate to the West Tien Shanregion.

1. Ecotourism should assist to protect and improve nature areas and support sustainabledevelopment of adjoining territories and local communities.

2. Ecotourism requires implementation of the special policies, strategies and programsfor the whole country and each region and area.

3. Ecotourism requires practical and effective coordination systems betweenstakeholders, including governments, private enterprises and local communities.

4. Ecotourism planning should include clear criteria of area zoning, includingzapovedniks and low and medium impact zones.

5. Physical planning and design of ecotourism sites, especially hotels and otheraccommodations, restaurants, national park information centers, car parks and other facilities forecotourism activities, should be developed so that any negative impact on natural or culturalenvironment is avoided or minimized. Local construction materials, architectural styles, furniture andsettings should be used, as well as energy sources not polluting the environment.

6. Similarly, transportation and communication means used in ecotourism regions shouldhave low level of impact and minimize pollution. Sports using noisy or heavily polluting types oftransport should be strictly prohibited in areas for ecotourism.

7. Ecotourism activity in the national parks and protected areas should be performedstrictly in accordance with the rules of conduct in such areas.

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8. Management plans should be prepared for areas used for ecotourism such as nationalparks and protected areas to ensure development and organization of tourist activities meet therequirements of sustainability.

9. Proper legal and organizational mechanisms should be established aimed to assist theeffective involvement of local communities in the whole ecotourism development process, including

policy identification, planning, management and monitoring.

10. Organizational, financial, tax and other mechanisms should be established, which wouldallow local communities to keep the larger part of the income generated from ecotourism and use it to

protect nature and invest in improvements to ecotourism infrastructure.11. Ecotourism should be beneficial, economically sustainable and profitable business. If there

are no perspectives for getting profit, private entrepreneurs would not make investments nor takerisks.

12. All ecotourism business related parties should recognize and meet the costs required tominimize potential negative impacts. These costs to the investor and wider community should beincluded into feasibility studies and financial analysis of all ecotourism projects before investmentsare approved.

13. In ecotourism development it is necessary to ensure strict observance of tourist standards

and codes, and control and monitoring requirements and apply sanctions to violators. Self-regulatingand local initiatives related to ecological, social and cultural sustainability of ecotourism should beencouraged, but necessarily checked. Advice and explanatory campaigns among entrepreneurs andtourists and training of service providers can assist in ensuring compliance.

14. Certification systems for ecotourism sites and activities should be considered. Certificationshould be related to international standards in Central Asia and Europe in order to ensure consistencyof their quality to the principles of sustainability. Accreditation of the existing local certificationsystems should be also considered to improve their image among customers and foreign touroperators.

15. Education and professional training is the basis of sound ecotourism management.Managers and their staff, as well as the local population, need training on general and specific aspectsof ecotourism, and this training should be targeted to the requirements of each category. In particular,ecotourism requires highly qualified guides, preferably natives from the local area.

16. Ecotourists need detailed and specialist information before and during the trip. Provisionof full information is one of the elements differentiating ecotourism from traditional tourism, and thisinformation may be provided in various forms, including booklets, guidebooks, maps, informationcenters, eco-museums, designated tracks and local guides.

17. Promotional materials on ecotourism should contain sufficient information on touristattractions, including flora, fauna, relief, geology, ecosystem. They should also include accurateinformation on accommodations and catering facilities, as well as recommendations what tourists canand cannot do in the local area. This information would allow potential customers identify the

difference between real ecotourism operators before buying an eco-tour.18. Both marketing channels and promotional materials should correspond with the type oftourism offered to a customer and the type of eco-tourists being targeted.

Two diagrams follow, the first showing Ecotourism Products and the second ProductDevelopment Issues. The information is relevant to the analysis of the resources and conditions fortourism in the West Tien Shan later in Section 3 onwards.

Spectacular landscapes. Western Tien-Shan in the Uzbekistan territory covers two speciallyprotected territories Ugam-Chatkal National Park (576.0 km2) and Chatkal Nature Reserve(conservation area) (22 000 hectares). They present a unique area where different species of flora andfauna showing all biodiversity of Central Asia are concentrated. According to the experts evaluationthere are 2.2 thousand species of flora from Turan desert to Pamir-Alai high mountains 2.15 thousand

of them are angiosperms. Fauna includes 280 species where 44 are mammals, 200 birds, 16 reptiles, 2 amphibians, 20 - fish.

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The most prevailing and famous fish in mountain rivers marinka which lived in hollows andscours of the rivers. Most of Pisces immigrants which acclimatized and accident removal. Greenfrog be found in river valleys up to snowfields but lake frog only in warm lakes and on the river

banks. In the foothills and hills reptiles - gray gecko, colored poloz, desert gologlaz, water grass-snake, jeltopuzik. Poloz (patterned, cross-striated, colored) to be found in middle mountains. Alsoshitomordnik and gray adder be found. There is a preserved national-culture area which includes the

synthesis of mountain and steppe life of different ethnic groups, such as Uzbeks, Tajiks, Kyrgyzs,Tatars, Kazakhs. Some isolation and conservatism of rural life allowed preserving everyday life styleof local people, who revere the customs of forefathers and national traditions, rules of common lifeand relation to environment as to the source of life. Probably due to such circumstances this nook ofthe republic differs by the depth and uniqueness of human and nature unity through ethnographicrelations. And at the same time villagers are hospitable and friendly and any explorer is welcomedand every person is ready to offer services.

From 60-s of the last century an industry of rest and travel has been built in Bostanlik regionpart of which is included in Western Tien-Shan, which was of the USSR-Republican importance.More than 100 tourism objects, including winter ski resort Chimgan were functioning here to 1990;number of visitors amounted to 1 million including 30% of visitors from another republics of ex-

USSR. Tourism potential has been saved to present. Moreover tourism has got a possibility of newdevelop through government support, private sector investments, support of non-government andcorporate institutions. Only Ugam-Chatkal National park is opened to visits; all routs in this territoryare agreed with the administration and are certificated by tour operators in National companyUzbektourism.

Unique Protected Areas. The territories of Ugam-Chatkal National Park and Chatkal NatureReserve are protected by the government. The laws About Nature Protection and About SpeciallyProtected Nature Territories approved by the Parliament, Cabinet of Ministries Resolution oncreation of tourism centers in Chimgan-Charvak area and Resolution of the Tashkent region hokimallow to strengthen the status and importance of this area and preserve the uniqueness of landscape,flora and fauna, rural life, national traditions.

The government increases ecological significance of local economy by limiting industrial andagrarian production, investing in tourism infrastructure development (roads, bridges, energy, wastedisposal, water-supply, canalization, hotel building, communication services) and improving well-

being of peoples through revival of crafts, folklore, hospitality industry sustainability and privateeconomies development. During the last years a chain of guesthouses, tourism bases, rest houses,children health camps, tapchans, campings (20% of total visits) has been created in Uzbek part ofWestern Tien-Shan. Most part of services is rendered by local people (80% of total visits). Non-organized tourism prevails, but in the meantime o there is a tendency of organized and planned visitsthrough tour operators.

Ancient cultural heritage. There are monuments of ancient culture were preserved in the

territory of Ugam-Chatkal National Park, in particularly these are the following: remains of ancientsettlement (Ak-tepa VI-XV, Djaudjurbek-tepa VII-XII, Iskander-tepa and Kadovat-tepa III-XV),fortresses (Anaulgen VIII-XII, Djilga-tepa VI-XII), petroglifs (more than 200), ancient peoplessites (Aktash 40-25 thousands years B.C., Obi-Rahmat grotto mustie, 100-40 thousands yearsB.C., Neanderthal people, Gouhona - paleolith), burial mounds (more than 300), cult objects (SheikhDoud, Umar Vali Bogustani, Hazratti-mullo, Ungur-mazar, Zarkent-bobo mazars), caravan-sarai (IV-VI centures) and others.

Until now there are archeological dig is conducted and discoveries are made. Scientists saythat the bigger part of historical heritage is not studied and needs special protection and cautioustreatment by tourists. There are many caves without names with the tracks of ancient people, burialmounds, site of ancient settlements, which are in bad conditions because of time, nature and

anthropogenic influence. But there are working mosques, cultural institutions, ancient housesavailable for tourists, there are tracks to sites of ancient settlements and holy sites made.

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Community Based Tourism. From the beginning of 2000 years and in the framework ofEuropeAid Project in the territory of Bostanlik region which is part of Western Tien-Shan there werethree ecotourism areas formed Chimgan-Beldersai (center Chimgan village), Humsan-Aktash(Humsan village) and Brichmulla-Nanai (Brichmulla village). Within these area organized groups tourism service providers (CBT Community Based Tourism) started to function.

These are families or physical persons who have special resources (accommodation resources,

food, transport, horses, guide features, language knowledge, knowledge of territory, craftsmen,folklore) and who have also received training, which allows them to render quality service throughcommon technological chain and standards. They work in cooperate with tour operators and Ugam-Chatkal National Park and local administrations what gives them official status and necessary supportfrom different organisations interested (investors, banks, government institutions, social funds,international structures, NGOs, diplomatic missions, etc.). From one side that increases the level ofservice and safety provided by local communities, from another side it makes rural tourism morecomfortable and easy for visitors. Benefits from this cooperation are shared by all tourism process

participants. CBT controls the volume and quality of services from personal providers, contacts withgovernment bodies in solving border and police issues, medical aid and safety services, arrange foradvertising and cooperation with tour operators, support nature protection.

Tourists participate in national festivities (weddings, holidays, events), buy artisans crafts, trygastronomy and village language, live in home comfort and care. Information about accommodation,service, providers can be obtained in Informational Centers located in the Chimgan, Humsan,Brichmulla villages.

CBT service:- accommodation and food,- route accompaniment,- swimming tools, horses, transport rent,- show-presentations, folklore, crafts sale,- fishing and medicinal herbs collecting,- local sights (houses, mosques, ancient settlements, monuments, nature),- leisure (billiards, discothque).

Hiking and Rafting. Mountainous part of Western Tien-Shan attracts many amateurs of footand horseback riding routes as well as ecological routes. CBT having prepared experts throughseminars and trainings, render guide services to Small and Big Chimgan mountains, Giza plateau,Pulathan, to the Kulosya gorge and Melovoy pass, Kizil-jar precipice, waterfalls Paltau, Kalasai,Kattasai, caves Gormozor, Jurchashaya, Lailokcha, grotto Obi-Rahmat, to the geological outcropsDevonasai and Arkutsai, lakes Goluboe and Airik, Chashma spring. Tourists get guide-interpreters,experts in flora and fauna and folklore who provide all necessary information and services along theroute. If the traveling is a horseback ridding tour then grooms and cooks serve tourists. Explorerscan also take snapshots, study nature, traditions and villages life, fish within the limits of quota and

collect medicinal herbs.Rafting fans get a pleasure when traveling on rafts along the rivers Pskem and Ugam whichhave the 6 category of difficulty. But in this case it is necessary to work with experienced providers tour operators which are specialized in sport tours.

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Climate. Climatic conditions of the villages Chimgan, Brichmulla, Humsan are predestinatedby location in Chatkal Mountains, partly in a valley and also near water reservoir (Charvak reservoirand rivers). Climate there is continental and it is marked by fluctuations during seasons and duringAlpine mountains save snow and coolness up to the middle of summer. The highest temperature is inJune - July - beginning of August, rain time is in spring and autumn, rich snowfalls are in winter that allows to develop ski tourism (first snows come at the end of October beginning of November),

steady snow stays for about 4-5 months, its cover is 2 meters. Average daily temperature of thewarmest month (July) fluctuates from 20 to 35 degrees Celsius. Average norm of annual precipitation

450 mm. Duration of frosty period 170 days.The best time for beach tourism July August, for horseback and hiking routes - end of

April beginning of October. Winter time can be interesting for people who like to ski in Chimganand for those who like silence and peace of rural life, romanticism in snow in the Humsan andBrichmulla. Besides that there are special winter routes.

NOTE ON ESTABLISHMENT OF CBT GROUP. During 2004-2005 local groups of CBT wereformed on the territory of Bostanlik district (Tashkent region, Uzbekistan) in the villages of Chimgan,Burchmulla, and Humsan. They are mainly represented by families, which provide services for

tourists, have certain infrastructure (accommodation facilities, meals) and also have some socialinfluence formal and informal on local communities. 3-4 families usually form the core of thesegroups. Representatives of these particular families participated in the trainings and seminars of theProject; they organized different events (festivals, exhibitions, presentations). Two travel agenciesElena-Tour and Asia-Raft work in particularly with them for the last time and Ecosan-Tour andother travel agencies intent to cooperate with them in future.

In Chimgan CBT is represented by 3 main families/households (accommodation services andmeals) and 4 of those who participate in decision-making and provide services in technologicaltourism chain (horse rent, grooms, meals, folklore). The leader here is Bahtiyar Redjepov who at thesame time is the Leader of Rural Community (several settlements) and has an authority andadministrative power. It should be noted that B.Rejepov is a key figure, who attracts peopleinterested. This is also due to the fact that Chimgan is the most developed part of tourism area inBostanlik district and therefore local people have certain wish to work in cooperation with each other.

But here there is one specific point nepotism, what is the peculiarity of oriental mentalityand way of communal life in Uzbekistan. First of all the CBT group managed by B. Radjepov is agroup of close relatives, colleagues and friends. But this has its positive point: this does allow themto concentrate resources, work out mutually acceptable decisions and positions not creating conflictsituations in CBT and not separating some members from others. This also ensures membersresponsibility because the results of the work are evenly impact everyone and in the circle of relativesthis is very important. Therefore such tendency should be taken into account and not ignored,

moreover shall be adapted to the process of CBT establishing and development.CBT group in Burchmulla has not been set up for a long time, as this settlement is located inthe border zone where there is a strict police regime. Any public organization (official and non-official) is controlled by the bodies of security services and local government (khokimiyat). In thiscontext we have to note that Burchmulla people were not confident and were cautious to the Projectas they were concerned about direct contacts with foreign organizations and potential problems withlocal administration. Besides that some of them saw only private profits from Project participation,they aimed to spend resources to solve selfish problems. By summer of 2004 the situation improved.The Director of the school Riski Rakhimova was elected and CBT leader with Djura Odinaev, theleader of rural council, providing necessary cooperation and support. Currently the core of the CBTis two families and five families in cooperation, including forestry employees. CBT group arranges

contacts with guesthouses and local travel agency Chatkal Mountains, those who provide servicesto visitors. There are no family relations among members of the CBT group as in Chimgan, but theseare established friendly relations, based on oriental principles.

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CBT group in Humsan is based on three key families and five ones in cooperation. TheLeader is Parida Akramova and her partner leader of rural council, Salahitdin Ashurov. Spiritualleader mullah of the local church, employee of the Ugam-Chatkal National Park, and schoolteacher

provides certain authority for the CBT group. This is also a union of partners. members participated in trainings and seminars, some of them provided by the Rabat

Malik Association of Travelers; they also went to the World Forum of Food Communities in Turin

(Italy) in October 2004. There they represented pollution-free local production of foodstuff, folklore,national traditions, points of interest. That allowed them to acquire an authority as one team withclearly tourism orientation. Therefore we can report that an informal CBT structure in the settlementhas been established. Participants have clear understanding what CBT is, what are its goals andobjectives and they have an intention to develop it.

In the process of establishing of CBT groups the Project faced some problems, which are notsolved yet, and which are the key to the development of the local CBT groups. The following are themain problems:

1) In the beginning not all the members of the CBT groups realized themselves as one solidteam, which has one common goal and therefore the number of members varied during a year and ahalf. Sometimes there were disagreements about resources, distribution of responsibilities, bringing

other people into the sphere of work. Currently CBT members want to work with full understandingand voluntary integrating and cooperating with each other.

2) Not all local people understand the benefits of CBT. They are concerned that CBT groupwill distribute the profits irrationally and not fair (this thinking is based also on the specifics oforiental mentality). Local population tends to solve present problems and get one second profit,instead of planning the future without proven guaranties for the perspective. In the meantime the can not provide them with such conditions. Moreover CBT groups themselves have not solidcorporate relations with local and international tour operators, who could ensure loading of localtourism capacities. The point is that according to the studies the most part of the visitors areuncoordinated tourists, who have no contacts with travel agencies, who visit the region by themselves.That is why local people do not see the relation of the visitors with travel agencies and therefore theneed to integrate with the CBT group. People to large extent are separated by their own interests;they do not want to share their bread (land, profit, clients) with the others until they see directeconomic benefit.

3) is a group of people providing services to tourists. According to current legislationsuch a group shall have the status of legal entity. It is not clear which organizational-legal form itshould take as NGO/public organization or as economic entity. Registration as economic entity, forexample, as LTD company or small enterprise is simple and already worked through. As NGO this

process is complicated and is not promising as limits the profits distribution.The economic subject providing tourism services shall receive a license from the government

and shall certify the products. This procedure is not considered to be a simple one, several formalities

should be gone through, including:- establishing Charter capital (fund), which amount is hardly visible for rural people involvedin CBT;

- one of the members of the CBT group should have high education on the subject (tourism) orwork in tourism not less than three years there are no such people in the settlements;

- CBT is obliged to have concluded agreements with other service providers (travel agencies,transport organization, hotels, insurance agencies), and this is possible only in a time when they areconfident in the valid status of the CBT.

CBT having official status, shall pay taxes while those service providers not involved in CBTwork illegally and therefore in contradiction with tax legislation of Uzbekistan. This is much more

profitable, as tourism in the region is of seasonal nature and that means that there is no need to have

official permission and then during the year report to different government bodies.Therefore current CBTs and people not involved are in a shadow when providing services to

tourists. But not involved are in a better position as they can pay off for one time in the case of

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unexpected inspections whereas CBT (in case of having an official status) are subject of officialplanned, off-schedule and cross inspections from many of controlling bodies (tax inspection,electricity inspection Energonadzor, local authorities commission, fire inspection, Ministry ofInternal Affairs inspection, border inspection, construction inspection, etc.).

In the meantime we can recommend CBT as a group of people having work contracts withtravel agencies for certain type of activities (services) or patent for private business activities and to

provide services within the framework of contract or patent. But with that it is better to avoid officialacknowledgement of them as providers of tourism services as this right is not extended for physical

persons according to the legislation. Providing services as a guide or tour guide requires certificationfrom National Company Uzbektourism (there such a document can be obtained only aftergraduating four-months course in the training center), organization of cultural entertainment - licensefrom Concert Company Uzbeknavo. Providing accommodation services, horse rent, boats, meals,retail trade (without acknowledging that these services are provided exclusively for tourists) do notrequire this special authorisation.

4) CBT currently could not certify tour products as:- certification of one route will cost about 150USD by the prices of the NC Uzbektourism and

this is significant amount for local people taking into account that as minimum three routes have been

developed in each of the villages;- this right is given only to travel agencies (having license) although in the majority tourism

providers in Ugam-Chtkal park work using uncertified routes violating the legislation. The otherpoint is that control bodies, park administration and NC Uzbektourism have not started to check this.

Meanwhile within the agreements with local people travel agencies can involve them into thesystem of services for tourists thereby legalizing their activities.

CBTs will become essential structures in the villages if they could involve big number ofservice providers from local people from advertising the region, village, area, joint work with travelagencies, local holiday centers, tour bases, sanatoriums and participating in fair profit sharing.

Within the framework of the Project we recommend to apply for certification of 1-2 routes,which will use CBT services so it could be officially advertised in the Internet, in tourism fairs and tofacilitate them through mass media.

Assessment of potential for cooperation with islamitic church. On the territory of Humsan-Oktash and Brichmulla-Nanay zones are graves which are Islamic religious values, holy sites,

particularly it are mazars (graves) of sheikh Umar Vali Bogustani, sheikh Doud (David), sepulchralmounds between the Nanay and the Bogustan villages, graveyards Hazrati-mullo and Yalovik-mazarnearby Sidjak village. That is allow to develop religious tourism. At the present it are in non-organized order, palmers by themselves visit those sites. Usually it 1-2 days visiting of mazars insummer period.

To hear from Leaders of Rural Communities on summer period per month are 20 tourists not local people, spring/autumn about 10 tourists, winter 2-3 tourists. All that tourists visit in non-

organized order, without official (commercial, social) structures.At the present time tour operators abstain from those tours because it concerned with certaincomplexities (political) and absence of need from Uzbek citizens.

REVIEW OF UZBEKISTAN LEGAL DOCUMENTS TO EXPAND COOPERATION

IN ECOTOURISM WITHIN WESTERN TIEN-SHAN. Tourism in Uzbekistan and in the Ugam-Chatkal National Park is regulated by the normative-legislative acts. They have to be taken intoaccount when agreeing itineraries and the presence of foreign and local travelers in specially

protected areas, in particularly in transboundary bio reserve of the Western Tien Shan, which is beingset up. As is well known this region covers three states Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic andUzbekistan and their relations are being formed on the level of national legislation and internationallaw.

Uzbekistan legislation in particularly concerns the aspects of physical persons (residents andnon-residents of the republic, foreign citizens from neighboring and distant countries) traveling andfulfilling necessary procedures. There are also issues of tourism companies activities in the

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territories of nature reserves, payment for resources, etc. In this regard several aspects should betaken into account for tourists, visiting Uzbekistan and for economic subjects, who arrange for suchvisits:

Legislation on entry, transit and crossing of the state, customs, sanitary border:

Resolution Regulation on the Exit and Entry Procedure for Tourists in the RoU. Thedocument is registered by the Ministry of Justice of the RoU from November 3, 2004 No 1421. It

stipulates the order of composing tourist groups, visa application and crossing of the state border;Regulation On Medical (Sanitary) Control in the State Border Check-Points of the RoU.

The document is registered by the Ministry of Justice from May 22, 1999 No 927. It stipulates theprocedure of checking of citizens who have symptoms of hazardous illnesses at the entry toUzbekistan. It also includes a number of limitations and stipulates the responsibility for spreading ofan epidemic;

Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers from November 21, 1996 No 408 Rules of TransitPassage through the Territory of Uzbekistan for Foreign Citizens and Persons Without Citizenship.It regulates the issues of transit crossing for foreign citizens, forced stay or residence, need forregistration;

Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers from November 21, 1996 No 408 Rules of Entry to

the RoU and Exit from the RoU for Foreigners and Persons Without Citizenship. The documentstipulates the rules of visiting Uzbekistan by foreigners, applying for visa;

Procedures of Interacting between National Company of Uzbektourism and State Customs

Committee of the RoU on Customs Clearance for Tourists Crossing Customs Border of the RoU approved by the National Company (NC) Uzbektourism and State Customs Committee of the RoU onJuly 20, 1993. It sets the system of relations between tourism companies and tourists with customs

bodies at the crossing of customs border, fulfilling necessary procedures including entering goods,currency and valuables;

Regulation for Permits for Physical Persons-Residents for Taking Foreign Currency in Cash

Abroad Being Provided by the Central Bank of the RoU. Registered by the Ministry of Justice onJuly 3, 2003 No 1253 from June 21, 2003 No 535. The document sets the procedure of getting the

permit for foreign currency to be taken out of the country by citizens of Uzbekistan;Regulation on the Exit-Entry Procedure of National Cash Currency of Uzbekistan. Approved

by the Board of the Central Board and the State Customs Committee from March 1, 2004 No 249-,01-02/19-16. It regulates the aspects of exit-entry of Uzbek Soums for both national citizens andforeigners;

Law of the RoU On Exit-Entry of Cultural Values from August 29, 1998 No 678-I. Itregulates the issues of entry-exit of the subjects being of cultural value. Tourists shall know what can

be purchased in the country for further taking out of the country;Regulation On the Procedures for Entry-Exit of Cultural Values. Approved by the

Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers from March 23, 1999 No 131. It stipulates procedures and

mechanism for the assessment of cultural values and providing permits for foreigners and localcitizens for taking cultural values out of the Republic of Uzbekistan;Law of the RoU On the State Border of the RoU from August 20, 1999 No 820-I. It

regulates aspects of crossing border; border, customs, sanitary, police points and legal procedures ofexit-entry of physical persons, checks, procedures for providing permits to enter the territories beinglimited for visits by foreigners and local citizens;

The Rules of Traveling Abroad for Citizens of the RoU. Approved by the Resolution of theCabinet of Ministers (CoM) No 8 from January 6, 1995. Sets obligatory procedures for getting a

permit to leave the country for Uzbek citizens;Regulation On the Procedures of Registration and Providing a Certificate for Citizens of the

RoU Who Did not Reach 16 Years Age. Approved by the Resolution of the CoM of the RoU from

December 30, 2000 No 519. It stipulates the procedure of providing documents for under aged fortheir leaving the country.

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Instruction on Providing Certificates for Returning to the RoU which was registered by theMinistry of Justice on June 17, 1998 No 448. It foresees the procedure of providing a document forreturning to the country for citizens of Uzbekistan from other countries in case of their national

passport is lost;Regulation On Passport System in the RoU. Approved by the Presidential Decree of the

RoU from February 26, 1999 No -2240. It describes the system of issuing passport, introducing

certain notes, including permission for exit and registration at the place of residence (propiska);Standard Instruction on the Order of Border and Customs Control in Automobile, Train, Avia

and River Checkpoints at the State Border of the RoU. Registered by the Ministry of justice fromJuly 6, 1999 No 765. The document sets the order of power and controlling authorities arrangementsat the checkpoints of the state border;

Criminal Code and Administrative Code of the RoUset the norms of punishments for currentlegislation violations in the sphere of crossing border, registration of documents for exit-entry,

performing of nature protection rules.Documents, regulating tourist activities:

Regulations about Licensing of Tourist Activities. The Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministersfrom November 11, 2003 N 497 stipulates the procedure and rules for receiving the license for tourist

activities for legal persons;The Order of Certification of Tourist Services. It is registered within the Ministry of Justice on

March 18, 2000 N 911. It stipulates the mechanism of applying for certification of different touristservices.

About Approval of the Regulations on Exit-Entry of Tourists to the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The Regulations are registered by the Ministry of Justice on November 3, 2004 N 1421. It stipulatesthe coordination of actions undertaken by the National tourism administration and tour operators withthe controlling bodies in arranging foreigners traveling in the territory of the RoU and nationaltravelers at the exit from the Republic.

The Rules for Hunting and Fishing in the Territory of Uzbekistan. Registered by the Ministryof Justice of the RoU No 337 from May 1, 1997 on April 15, 1997. It sets the procedure for getting

permits, hunting and fishing for foreign and local citizens.About Measures for Nature Resources Protection and Ensuring Comprehensive and Systemic

Approach to the Development of Chimgan-Charvak Zone. Resolution of the CoM from March 10,2000 No 83 directed to rehabilitation and development of Bostanlyk rayon, which is in part located inWestern Tien Shan;

About Regulation of Radical Use of Natural Resources, Improving Environmental Status in

the Territory of Rayon, People Entertainment and Entry of Automobile Means to the Territory of

Rayon. The document is approved by khokim of Bostanlyk rayon from July 27, 2001 458, and setsthe procedures for use and consumption of nature resources of Ugam-Chatkal National Park and othernature areas of the rayon;

About Additional Measures on Improving Recreation System and Preservation of NatureResources of Health Resort Recreation Zone Chimgan-Charvak. This Resolution of the CoM of theRoU from September 06, 2001 362 brings amendments into the development of the tourist zone inthe territory of Western Tien-Shan;

Regulation on entry-exit of transport means and people on vacation as well as rational use of

natural resources in the territory of Ugam-Chatkal National Park from January 10, 2002 9. Thedocument is approved by khokim of Tashkent oblast. Its major objective to set up fees for the entryto specially protected area.

Exemptions provided by the government for tourism business:

Legislation sets exemptions for enterprises involved in tourism. For example, Tax Codespecifies:

Article 92. Privileges under the property tax of legal persons. The tax is not imposed on theproperty of the following legal persons:

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- newly created, engaged in tourist activities in the cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva andTashkent, for the period from the moment of creation before receiving first profit, but for the term ofnot more than three years from the moment of their registration. In case of liquidation of these legal

persons before the expiration of one year after establishment of a grace period, the amount of tax iswithdrawn in full size for the whole period of their activities.

Article 102. The tax bearers exempted from the payment of land tax. The following legal

persons are exempted from the payment of land tax:- newly created, engaged in tourist activities in Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and Tashkent

cities, for the period from the moment of creation before receiving first profit, but for the term of notmore than three years from the moment of their registration. In case of liquidation of these legal

persons before the expiration of one year after establishment of a grace period, the amount of tax iswithdrawn in full size for the whole period of their activities.

According to the Resolution of Approving Instruction on Calculation and Payment of VAT forgoods (works, services) produced and sold, which is enforced from May 9, 2003, services ofsanatoriums and health resorts rendered above the price of a vaucher to these organizations areexempt from the VAT.

Tourist-excursion services include services of guide organizations included in the cost of the

voucher for tourist services.Tourist services include transport service, accommodation, meals, excursion service, cultural,

sports programs and other services recorded in the Contract on Providing Tourist Services.The given privilege is also applied to additional tourist-excursion services rendered by the

specified organizations to tourists over the services included in the contract.About the Measures to Facilitate Participation of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the Revival of

the Great Silk Route and to Develop International Tourism in the Republic. The decree of thePresident of the Republic Uzbekistan from June 2, 1995. The document stipulates the following:

To exempt from all kinds of taxes newly formed tourist agencies and the enterprises of thesecities for the period from the data of their establishment till the date of receiving the first profit, but nomore than three years from the date of registration;

The specified organizations and enterprises in the first year of receiving the profit shall pay 50% of the profit tax, in the second year 75 %, starting from the third year 100 %;

To exempt foreign investors which set up joint ventures in the sphere of tourism inSamarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and Tashkent from the payment of exported profit tax for the period of 5years in addition to the privileges granted.

At present in Uzbekistan exist standards:State, in particular, for the tourism this:- GOST 30385-95. Facilities to the population. Terms and determinations;- GOST 28681.1-95. Tourist-excursing service. Designing the tourist services;- GOST 28681.2-95. Tourist-excursing service. Tourist facilities. General requirements;

- RST 918-98. Tourist-excursing service. Categorization of hotels;- GOST 28681.3-95. Tourist-excursing service. Requirements on ensuring safety of touristsand excursions.

- GOST 28681.4-95. Tourist-excursing service. Categorization of hotels;- A Management ISO/MEK 2 1996. "General terms and determinations in the field of

standardizations and adjacent types of activity";- RD Uz 51-026-94. National system of certification Republic Uzbekistan. Order of

consideration of appeals;- RD Uz 51-053-96. National system of certification of Republic Uzbekistan. Certification of

Services. Main positions;- RD Uz 51-061-97. National system of certification of Republic Uzbekistan. Certification of

Services. Order of undertaking.Private, which are recommended by the Association of travelers Rabat Malik for for

servicing the visitors. They are described in corresponding scholastic material.

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Documents, which regulate relations in tourist sphere between RoU and neighbouring

countries:

Agreement between the government of the RoU and the government of the Republic of

Kazakhstan on deepening cooperation in the sphere of culture, health, science, education, tourism

and sport from January 10, 1994. Declares commitment to cooperation and establishes businessrelations between the countries, including in tourism;

Agreement between the government of the RoU and government of Kyrgyz Republic ondeepening cooperation in the sphere of culture, health, science, education, tourism and sport fromJanuary 16, 1994. Declares commitment to cooperation and establishes business relations betweenthe countries, touches upon tourism as important part of humanitarian and economic partnership;

Agreement between governments of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tadjikistan

and Republic of Uzbekistan on cooperation in the area of sanatorium, health resort and tourist

organizations and enterprises from June 8, 2000, Astana city. Article 1 stipulates that Parties willfacilitate cooperation in the area of sanatorium, health resort and tourist organizations and enterprisesto create the most favourable conditions for improving population health in the countries, deepenfamiliarization with the culture, nature and places of interest as well as historical monuments andnational traditions of people of four countries.

Besides that it is foreseen that there will be cooperation in the area of exchange of citizens,who are in need of sanatorium or health resort treatment and rest on the basis of equality and mutual

benefit. To increase the number of such people the Parties will fulfill measures on streamliningcustoms procedures, share the lists of tour companies, sanatoriums, health resorts and other recreationfacilities. The governments engage to create favourable, mutually acceptable economic and legalconditions to implement the present Agreement.

Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Government of

Kyrgyz Republic about cross-visits from July 2, 2000 is directed to the regulation of order andconditions of cross-visits of citizens of both countries. In particularly citizens of the state (oneParty), holders of valid diplomatic and service passports, who suppose to stay in the territory of theother country not more than thirty days shall enter, exit and stay in the territory of the other Partycountry without visa. The rule is valid for the holders of national passports, visiting within officialnational and government delegations, public officials in the rank of not lower than heads of divisionsof the ministries and agencies, as well as local governments on the basis of national passports, servicecertificates and business trip certificates (Table 2). These people who intend to stay in the territoryof the other state no more than thirty days are issued visas without consular fee upon written requestof diplomatic service or consular office.

Citizens who permanently live in bordering Uzbekistan and Kyrgyz Republic rayons and citiescan enter, exit and stay in the territories of bordering rayons and cities without visa for no more thanfive days. The place of stay is defined on the basis of the registration in passport (propiska). Theirstay for more than five days shall be made on the basis of visa, which is issued in stipulated order.

The Agreement foresees: Citizens of one Party who travel to rest houses, sanatoriums, healthresorts and other recreation facilities, located in the territory of the other Party, enter, exit and stay inthe territory of this Party without visa on the basis of valid national passports and sanatoriumvouchers and other documents. They are to live the country of stay within three days after validityof their voucher.

Citizens enter, exit and transit through the points, set for crossing the border in compliancewith the procedures.

Table 2. List of documents for entry, exit and traveling of citizens of

Uzbekistan in the territory of Kyrgyz Republic Kyrgyz Republic in the territory of Uzbekistan1. Diplomatic passport of the RoU.

2. National passport of the RoU.3.Birth certificate (for children younger than 16years old).4. Certificate for returning to the RoU.

1. Diplomatic passport of the KR.

2. Service passport of the KR.3. National passport of the KR.4. Passport of the former USSR format with the

registration of citizenship

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5. KR before January 1, 2003 (for citizens who arethe subject of the Article 5 of the Agreement).

6. Birth certificate (for children younger than 16 yearsold).

7. Certificate for returning to the KR.

Rayons of Uzbekistan, which border KR Rayons of KR, which border RoUAndijan oblast

1. Andijan town2. Izboksan rayon3. Marhamat rayon4. Djalalkuduk rayon5. Pahtaabad rayon6. Kurgontepa rayon7. Bulokbashi rayon8. Hujaabad rayon

Namangan oblast

1. Pap rayon2. Chust rayon3. Kasansay rayon4. Yangikurgan rayon

5. Chartak rayon6. Uchkurgan rayon7. Uychin rayon

Fergana oblast

1. Rishtan rayon2. Fergana rayon3. Kuvasay rayon4. Kuva rayon5. Altaarik rayon6. Uzbekistan rayon7. Soh rayon

Tashkent oblast

1. Bustanlik rayon

Batkent oblast

1 Kyzyl-kiya town2. Batkent rayon3. Kadamjay rayon

Osh oblast

1. Osh town2. Nookat rayon3. Aravan rayon4. Karasuu rayon5. Uzgen rayon

Djalal-Abad oblast

1. Djalal-Abad town2. Kok-Yangak town3. Mailuu-Suu town

4. Tash-Kumyr town5. Suzak rayon6. Bazar-Korogon rayon7. Nooken rayon8. Ak-Syi rayon9. Ala-Buka rayon10. Chatkal rayonTallas oblast

1. Kara-Bura rayon

Consular fees for citizens ofRoU and KR

Issue of multiple entry visa: For one month - 4 USD

For 6 months - 10 USD

For one year - 20 USDVisa extension tariffs are the same as for the issue of visa. Children under 16 areexempted from the consular fee

There is no visa regime between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan and KyrgyzRepublic, but it is hard for Uzbek citizens to cross Kazakhstan border as national border servicerequests invitation letters and other documents certifying the need for the presence of these citizens inthe territory of neighbouring country. There are no publicly available legal documents on this

procedure issued by the Committee on Border Control within the National Security Service of theRoU and this could allow to suppose that these measures have political and not criminal, economiccharacter.

At the same time practice shows that tourist voucher works as a reason for Uzbek citizens tocross the border of Kazakhstan. Therefore it is necessary for Uzbekistani tourists have suchdocuments in transboundary tours.

Documents of the RoU, Streamlining Tourist Formalities:

About Simplification of Visa Procedures for Citizens of Italian Republic, France, Latvia,

Great Britain, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Japan, Germany and Belgium. The Resolution of theCabinet of Ministers from February 19, 2003 N 85 issued in order to facilitate political, trade,economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation between Uzbekistan and other countries, to

improve procedures for granting visa to foreigners, visiting the Republic with business and tourismobjectives.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan is entrusted to issue

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multi-entry visas for one year to foreigners visiting Uzbekistan with business purposes within2 working days in the foreign offices of the Republic with a waver of presenting invitation letter frominviting legal entity in the RoU to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the RoU;

multi-entry visas for one month to tourists visiting Uzbekistan within 2 working days with awaver of presenting tourist vouchers of the NC Uzbektourism or other tourist organizations.

These documents allow citizens of these countries get visas in facilitated order and travel

within the territory of Uzbekistan including Ugam-Chatkal National Park. Streamlining of formalitiesfacilitates tourist visits to Western Tien Shan.

Proposals to Improve Visa Regime for Tourists, Visiting Transboundary Bio-Reserve

Western Tien Shan:

It is to issue unified standard visa (Western Tien Shan) for tourists wishing to visit Bio-Reserve Western Tien Shan, which is located in the territories of three countries. This visa shall bevalid and recognized by authorities in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan. The prototypeof such visa could be a Shengen zone visa in Europe or Mekong in South-East Asia. From one side itstreamlines the procedure of getting permit documents, reduces the costs for consular and other feesand saves time from formalities. From the other side it facilitates the recording of travelers interestto ecological and sport tours and creation of common database of visitors. It should be noted that not

all countries of the world have all three diplomatic missions of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic andUzbekistan, but in one of them there will be a possibility to obtain Western Tien Shan visa to visitall three republics.

For example, French citizen applies to the Embassy of Uzbekistan and within tourist programpurchases the tour and visa Western Tien Shan. Those allow him to enter Uzbekistan, stay there forcertain time, travel to nature reserve areas and then cross the border through official checkpoints toKyrgyz Republic and after some time to Kazakhstan. In this way tourist chain is maintained andservices are provided from country to country.

Western Tien Shan visa could be used within the framework of the abovementioned four-parties interstate Agreement on cooperation in using health resorts, recreation zones, as there are suchobjects in the territory of Western Tien Shan functioning at present. That can also stimulate theintensity and volumes of cross visits.

NOTE ON ESTABLISHMENT OF CBT GROUP

Selection of CBT service providers. The selection of CBT groups, which provide services tovisitors in villages and adjacent territories, was conducted by the following criteria:

1. Personal wish of the person and his/her family to participate in project of ecotourismdevelopment in the village, strengthening relations inside the community and also with partners fromother villages and tour operators;

2. Presence of necessary conditions, in particularly:- material resources topchans and guesthouses which are accommodated for tourists,

kitchen/dinning room for cooking, workshop of souvenirs and handicrafts, horses and cars for rent;- necessary knowledge foreign languages, history of the area, culture history, biology,geography.

- minimal experience in tourists service as guide, cooking in mountain conditions, providingfirst aid, knowledge how to teach fishing, rescue in water, in mountains, in forest;

- psychological abilities hospitality, kindness, good-fellowship, ability to mitigate conflictsituation, decency and honesty, responsibility with client;

- good references from village leaders, lack of criminal history;- ability to work with border service, police, etc.3. Participate in educational programs in tourism what is the evidence of knowledge and

abilities;

4. Work in services for more than one year (as a minimum).All those factors allowed making the first selection among local people as CBT service

providers. In future, experts from Association of Explorers Rabat Malik, Europe Aid project and

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tour operators Elena-tour and Azia-raft made a selection of providers who are already in aposition to provide tourist services at high level.

During 2004-2005 local groups of CBT were formed on the territory of Bostanlik district(Tashkent region, Uzbekistan) in the villages of Chimgan, Burchmulla, and Humsan. They aremainly represented by families, which provide services for tourists, have certain infrastructure(accommodation facilities, meals) and also have some social influence formal and informal on local

communities. 3-4 families usually form the core of these groups. Representatives of these particularfamilies participated in the trainings and seminars of the Project; they organized different events(festivals, exhibitions, presentations). Two travel agencies Elena-Tour and Asia-Raft work in

particularly with them for the last time and Ecosan-Tour and other travel agencies intent tocooperate with them in future.

In Chimgan CBT is represented by 3 main families/households (accommodation services andmeals) and 4 of those who participate in decision-making and provide services in technologicaltourism chain (horse rent, grooms, meals, folklore). The leader here is Bahtiyar Redjepov who at thesame time is the Leader of Rural Community (several settlements) and has an authority andadministrative power. It should be noted that B.Rejepov is a key figure, who attracts peopleinterested. This is also due to the fact that Chimgan is the most developed part of tourism area in

Bostanlik district and therefore local people have certain wish to work in cooperation with each other.But here there is one specific point nepotism, what is the peculiarity of oriental mentality

and way of communal life in Uzbekistan. First of all the CBT group managed by B. Radjepov is agroup of close relatives, colleagues and friends. But this has its positive point: this does allow themto concentrate resources, work out mutually acceptable decisions and positions not creating conflictsituations in CBT and not separating some members from others. This also ensures membersresponsibility because the results of the work are evenly impact everyone and in the circle of relativesthis is very important. Therefore such tendency should be taken into account and not ignored,moreover shall be adapted to the process of CBT establishing and development.

CBT group in Burchmulla has not been set up for a long time, as this settlement is located inthe border zone where there is a strict police regime. Any public organization (official and non-official) is controlled by the bodies of security services and local government (khokimiyat). In thiscontext we have to note that Burchmulla people were not confident and were cautious to the Projectas they were concerned about direct contacts with foreign organizations and potential problems withlocal administration. Besides that some of them saw only private profits from Project participation,they aimed to spend resources to solve selfish problems. By summer of 2004 the situation improved.The Director of the school Riski Rakhimova was elected and CBT leader with Djura Odinaev, theleader of rural council, providing necessary cooperation and support. Currently the core of the CBTis two families and five families in cooperation, including forestry employees. CBT group arrangescontacts with guesthouses and local travel agency Chatkal Mountains, those who provide servicesto visitors. There are no family relations among members of the CBT group as in Chimgan, but these

are established friendly relations, based on oriental principles.CBT group in Humsan is based on three key families and five ones in cooperation. TheLeader is Parida Akramova and her partner leader of rural council, Salahitdin Ashurov. Spiritualleader mullah of the local church, employee of the Ugam-Chatkal National Park, and schoolteacher

provides certain authority for the CBT group. This is also a union of partners. members participated in trainings and seminars, some of them provided by the Rabat

Malik Association of Travelers; they also went to the World Forum of Food Communities in Turin(Italy) in October 2004. There they represented pollution-free local production of foodstuff, folklore,national traditions, points of interest. That allowed them to acquire an authority as one team withclearly tourism orientation. Therefore we can report that an informal CBT structure in the settlementhas been established. Participants have clear understanding what CBT is, what are its goals and

objectives and they have an intention to develop it.

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In the process of establishing of CBT groups the Project faced some problems, which are notsolved yet, and which are the key to the development of the local CBT groups. The following are themain problems:

1) In the beginning not all the members of the CBT groups realized themselves as one solidteam, which has one common goal and therefore the number of members varied during a year and ahalf. Sometimes there were disagreements about resources, distribution of responsibilities, bringing

other people into the sphere of work. Currently CBT members want to work with full understandingand voluntary integrating and cooperating with each other.

2) Not all local people understand the benefits of CBT. They are concerned that CBT groupwill distribute the profits irrationally and not fair (this thinking is based also on the specifics oforiental mentality). Local population tends to solve present problems and get one second profit,instead of planning the future without proven guaranties for the perspective. In the meantime the can not provide them with such conditions. Moreover CBT groups themselves have not solidcorporate relations with local and international tour operators, who could ensure loading of localtourism capacities. The point is that according to the studies the most part of the visitors areuncoordinated tourists, who have no contacts with travel agencies, who visit the region by themselves.That is why local people do not see the relation of the visitors with travel agencies and therefore the

need to integrate with the CBT group. People to large extent are separated by their own interests;they do not want to share their bread (land, profit, clients) with the others until they see directeconomic benefit.

3) is a group of people providing services to tourists. According to current legislationsuch a group shall have the status of legal entity. It is not clear which organizational-legal form itshould take as NGO/public organization or as economic entity. Registration as economic entity, forexample, as LTD company or small enterprise is simple and already worked through. As NGO this

process is complicated and is not promising as limits the profits distribution.The economic subject providing tourism services shall receive a license from the government

and shall certify the products. This procedure is not considered to be a simple one, several formalitiesshould be gone through, including:

- establishing Charter capital (fund), which amount is hardl

Ecotourism of Uzbekistan. Commonity Based Tourism

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