www.thegreatsilkroad.com The revival of the lake which is located next to Zenghi Baba Hills and which dried up 100 years ago, gave a new impetus to the restoration of ecological balance on the territory of Shakhsenem wildlife preserve which is a part of Kaplankyr nature reserve.
The vast area of ancient lower reaches of the Amu Darya river got covered with lush vegetation- haloxylon, tamarisk, licorice alhagi and reed. The lake basin was filled with fresh water from the Turkmen-Darya river.
The works done resulted in creation of a peculiar microclimate: in winter and spring the plantations of trees and shrubbery provide for retention of heat, whereas in summer time they help to keep the area fresh and cool. The snow blanket keeps longer, evaporation decreases, the sand storms and hot winds weaken. Soon this area will become a natural habitat of various species of animals and birds.
Specialists of the Kaplankyr nature reserve carry out regular phonological observations of the area. Today in the reserve itself, which occupies the area of more than 280 hectares, there grow 313 species of plants and it is the habitat of 26 species of big wild animals and 150 species of birds. |