Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve
The Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve (, ) is located in Aksy District, Jalal-Abad Region in western Kyrgyzstan. Established in 1959, it currently covers 23,868 hectares. In 1978 it was designated as a World Biosphere reserve by UNESCO. The Reserve is located at altitudes from above sea level. The name of Sary Chelek translates as "Yellow bucket" from Kyrgyz language. Geography. Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve is approximately to the northwest of Tash-Kömür town. The reserve currently occupies , including s core area, and transition area. Its headquarters are in the village Arkyt. Description. The comparatively large Lake Sary -Chelek is the main feature of the nature reserve. In the low hills south of Lake Sary-Chelek there are 6 smaller lakes: Kylaaköl, Iyriköl, Bakalyköl, Aramköl, Chöychökköl, and Chachaköl. The river Kojata divides the nature reserve in an eastern and western part. Average relative humidity is about 60 percent, and annual rainfall is about at the Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve.