EcoPark Project

The “Eco Park” is a joint project between the American University of Central Asia,
the Town Hall of Bishkek and the French-Kyrgyz Ecotourism Association (Association
Franco-Kirghize d’Ecotourisme AFKE) aimed at the rehabilitation of 41,1 hectares of the Elm
Grove of Bishkek. The Elm Grove of Bishkek is unique and is the biggest and oldest urban
forest in Central Asia. It was planted back in 1881 by the first students of the Agrarian
Institute and became the biggest green area in Central Asia. Its contribution to the air
purification of the city is outstanding as it serves as a biotic pump, developing a microclimate
in Bishkek. Due to illegal cutting, settlements, grazing and car circulation in the grove since
Kyrgyz independence in 1991, the area of the grove has significantly decreased from the
original 216 hectares to the current 123 hectares. In order to prevent the total destruction of
the grove and create conditions for its regeneration as an urban forest, AFKE and AUCA
initiated the “EcoPark” project. In 2015 this initiative received a certification COP21 from the
French Ministry of the Environment for its interest in the fight against climate change and the
civic engagement induced by this project. To date, about 10,000 trees have been
protected…Numerous activities and courses for the students in our program are organized
there. Several students also conduct research in connection with the EcoPark for their
undergraduate thesis.