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University of Central Asia launches Sustainable Mountain Development Report and Mountain Research & Development Journal issue on Central Asian Mountain Societies in Transition

02.11.2012

 Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic. – The University of Central Asia’s (UCA) Mountain Societies Research Centre (MSRC) and Mountain Partnership Central Asia Hub launched the Sustainable Mountain Development in Central Asia – From Rio 1992 to Rio2012 and beyond Report and a special issue of the journal Mountain Research and Development (MRD) on Central Asian Mountain Societies in Transition in Bishkek on 2 November 2012.

Sustainable Mountain Development in Central Asia – From Rio 1992 to Rio2012 and beyond is a regional progress report on sustainable mountain development in Central Asia since 1992.  The report was jointly produced by MSRC/UCA and Mountain Partnership’s Central Asia Hub, together with Zoï Environment Network and GRID-Arendal.

With analysis of the region’s progress in sustainable mountain development over the past 20 years, the report includes background information on mountain ecosystems and societies in Central Asia and recommendations for action.  It also presents 15 case studies of innovative responses to the challenges and opportunities facing mountain communities in the region implemented by sustainable development practitioners represented by Mountain Partnership member organizations from Tajikistan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Kazakhstan. 

The Mountain Societies Research Centre’s Senior Research Scientist Chad Dear and Director Horst Weyerhaeuser served as guest editors for a special issue of the journal Mountain Research and Development focused on Central Asian Mountain Societies in Transition.  MRD is an international peer-reviewed journal published by the International Mountain Society, of which UCA is an institutional member.

The issue features information on MSRC and its first background paper on mountain pastoralism; analysis of development initiatives on pasture governance reforms, climate change adaptation, large carnivore conservation, and thermal insulation, and on the quality of life in remote mountain communities in Afghan Badakhshan; and innovative scientific research on differing meanings of pasture, changing pasture use, pasture tenure, farming system modeling, and livelihoods in conflict areas. 

MSRC was launched in 2011 as the first of several planned research centres within UCA. MSRC aims to generate and promote the application of sound research on sustainable mountain development in Central Asia. For more information: www.msrc.ucentralasia.org

The Mountain Partnership’s Central Asian Hub is hosted by UCA’s Mountain Societies Research Centre, facilitates knowledge and info sharing on sustainable mountain development, fosters joint initiatives at the regional level by serving 20 MP members from the region.   

The Sustainable Mountain Development Report is available at:

http://msrc.ucentralasia.org/events.asp?Nid=355,
and the Mountain Research & Development Journal on Central Asian Mountain Societies in Transition at: http://msrc.ucentralasia.org/events.asp?Nid=418