SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF ECOTOURISM AS A DRIVER OF LOCAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE KULUN-ATA NATURE RESERVE, KYRGYZSTAN: PERCEPTIONS OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES

Nizamiev A. Momosheva G. Abdisatarov K. Borombaev A. Sergeyeva А. Kamchiev U.
2025 Editura Universitatii din Oradea

Geojournal of Tourism and Geosites
2025 #63 Issue 4 2764 - 2773 pp.

This article assesses the potential of sustainable ecotourism in the Kulun-Ata State Nature Reserve (Kyrgyzstan) as a catalyst for local development. The study aims to explore opportunities and constraints for implementing community-based ecotourism in a remote protected area. Methodologically, it combines household surveys, GIS mapping, functional zoning, and multi-criteria analysis. Results reveal strong community willingness to participate, despite institutional and infrastructural barriers. Based on the findings, a development model is proposed that integrates landscape mosaicism, local stakeholder involvement, and adaptive management principles. The research contributes to the understanding of ecotourism as a tool for promoting socio-economic resilience in peripheral mountainous regions. The study examines sustainable ecotourism as a lever for inclusive development in Kyrgyzstan’s remote protected areas. Focusing on the Kulun-Ata State Nature Reserve, it identifies opportunities and constraints for community-based ecotourism. It situates the case within sustainable territorial development and community participation frameworks. The aim is to propose a spatially integrated, governance-ready model balancing conservation and local livelihoods. A mixed-methods design combines GIS-based suitability modelling, functional zoning, and field observations. Household surveys (N=197; Konduk and Oy-Tal, July 12–25, 2024) assess perceptions, capacities, and readiness. A 20-item Likert instrument spans ecological, socio-cultural, economic, and institutional-political dimensions. Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis and a Sustainability Barometer synthesize indicators to prioritize development options. Communities show high willingness to participate, with strongest scores in environmental awareness and socio-cultural identity. Institutional trust is weakest, and infrastructure remains inadequate. Spatial analysis reveals a heterogeneous landscape mosaic suitable for phased, low-impact route development outside core zones. Functional zoning delineates strict protection, buffer, regulated ecotourism use, and adjacent interaction belts. Priorities include capacity-building, micro-enterprise support, trained guiding, and minimal-footprint trail infrastructure. The framework aligns visitation with conservation thresholds while enhancing local income diversification and cultural stewardship. Findings position Kulun-Ata as a representative case for integrating secondary, hard-to-reach areas into national strategies. Policy implications stress phased implementation, cross-sector coordination, and monitoring using integrated sustainability indicators.

community-based tourism , ecotourism , environmental awareness , institutional barriers , Kyrgyzstan , local communities , spatial modeling

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Osh State University, Institute of Natural Science, Physical Education, Tourism and Agricultural Technologies, Osh, Kyrgyzstan
Osh Technological University, Institute of Technology and Nature Management, Osh, Kyrgyzstan
L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Department of Physical and Economical Geography, Astana, Kazakhstan

Osh State University
Osh Technological University
L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University

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