Unique walnut fruit forests are found at 1000-2200 m above sea level on the Fergana and Chatkal Valley of the Tien-Shan Mountains. These forests represent extremely valuable reserve of rich genetic biodiversity and provide an important source for local people’s livelihoods.

In these forests, the long-term sustainable use is currently uncertain, due to the high human pressure and economical instability, which are threatening biodiversity conservation. There is not so much interest can be found on biodiversity conservation due to the lack of environmental education and awareness. Thus, there is a crucial need to conduct more educational activities.

School children would be aware of taking the responsibility to conserve natural resources for the next generation. However, schools play a key role in disseminating the ideas of biodiversity conservation across the whole community through children.

The overall aim of this project is to raise the awareness of schoolchildren on biodiversity conservation through bird diversity education in 6 different schools of Arstanbap, Kaba and Kysulunkur forest enterprises. The following objectives will be achieved:

The awareness of biodiversity conservation at school levels would be enhanced;

- Surveys and field works on bird diversity in different habitats with the participation of schoolchildren and experts might be conducted;

- Information and promotional materials, brochures, and booklets about importance of bird diversity and general biodiversity would be disseminated through schools, local people and forestry sectors;

- A network “small bird club” among schools would be created.

The project duration is 13 months starting from February 2008 to February 2009. The results of the project are expected to make a helpful contribution for the walnut fruit forests’ biodiversity conservation.