US embassy cable - 05DUSHANBE1951

UNCLAS DUSHANBE 001951 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
STATE FOR EUR/CACEN, SA, OES 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, ECON, SENV, TI, Economics and Trade 
SUBJECT: TAJIKISTAN'S ENVIRONMENT SUFFERS DUE TO LACK OF FUNDS 
 
 
1.  Funding and management problems prevent Tajikistan from 
protecting its natural resources.  In a December 2 meeting with 
PolOff, Rustam Latipov, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee 
for Environmental Protection and Forestry (SCEPF) complained 
that the government fails to recognize the benefits of 
organizing sustainable development programs or developing 
eco-tourism.  The government is taking slow steps to protect the 
environment, but Tajikistan's 2.6 million hectares of natural 
environment relies on the help of international organizations to 
protect it. 
 
2.  One necessary step would be to identify animal and plant 
species that need special protection.  Local news agency Avesta 
reported in early 2006 that Tajikistan will print its "Red 
Book," a catalogue of animal and plant species protected by the 
state.  However, Latipov informed us that the Red Book may not 
be published due to a lack of funds. 
 
3.  "Hunting helps protected animals," declared Latipov.  One of 
the animals Latipov refers to is the Marco Polo sheep, 
"protected" by the Red Book, and prized by hunters for their 
horns.  Revenues from approximately 40 hunting licenses granted 
each year, and a $10,000 tax per sheep, go to the local 
administration for the specific purpose of protecting local 
species.  Fearful of losing hunting commissions, Latipov claimed 
that Western and American hunters are not responsible for the 
decline in number of Marco Polo sheep.  Rather, impoverished 
locals hunt the sheep for food, having no other income 
alternatives.  NGOs are working to establish sustainable 
development alternatives for rural populations, but have not 
been able to reach all groups.  Latipov estimates that about 
16,000 Marco Polo sheep remain in Tajikistan.  The Wildlife 
Conservation Society claims the figure is closer to 10,000. 
Latipov acknowledged that the sheep population has dropped 
significantly, but in the end he was unable to provide specific 
figures. 
 
4.  With the help of the Organization for Security and 
Co-operation in Europe, SCEPF submitted a new draft 
environmental law to the appropriate ministries.  Latipov 
explained that environmental legislation adopted in 1993 during 
the civil war is out of date, and SCEPF rewrote the law to 
comply with international law and standards.  If parliament 
accepts these revised laws, it will be an improvement towards 
environmental protection.  However, the government lacks the 
resources and motivation to enforce environmental laws.  If the 
government does not begin to take environmental issues 
seriously, it risks losing species (and revenue) from 
magnificent animals like the Marco Polo sheep. 
HOAGLAND 
 
 
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