Kulunatin National Reserve
Kulunatin National Reserve
Kulunatinsky (Kulu Ata) reserve is situated 40 kilometers east from Osh, on the territories of the Ferghana and Alai ranges and was founded in 2004 covering the area of 27 434 hectares. The most important nature assets in the area are the Kulunatin lakes and the ecosystems they create together with the mountain rivers such as Tar and the alpine and sub alpine forests in the area.
The name of reserve “Kulun-Ata” (Foal father) came from the ancient legend as well. According to legend, once a resident of the Alaykuu valley came to the Toguz – Bulak spring on his horse to bow. While praying, he did not notice how it got dark. He decided to spend the night there. Waking up at night, he saw a white horse coming out of a spring. After some time, his horse gave birth to an unusual foal. Then this man decided once again to go to the spring to get another foal. At night, a white horse appeared and took the foal. So, the greedy man was left without a foal, and the area was called “Kulun-Ata”
Kulunatin National Reserve has big amount of useful herbs and more than 100 species of animals and birds. Therefore, in 2004 it area became protected area Kulunatin National Reserve. One of the main goals of creating the Kulunatin National Reserve is to preserve the biodiversity of this region, the rich gene pool of the plant world and the unique mountain-lake ecosystem.
Kulun Lakes
There are two alpine lakes located in this Kulun national Reserve: Kulun lake and small Kulun. Lakes are landslide formed as a result of a powerful earthquake. The lakes are at a fairly high altitude of 2856 m. The Kulun River flows into the lake and water seeping through the rubble forms the lakes.
How to get to Kulun National Reserve
Konduk is the nearest village located on the southwest side of the Kulun lakes. In the village of Konduk, Kara-Kuldjinsky district, of the Osh region there is a spring called Toguz – Bulak which the locals consider sacred and as a place for worship for everyone hoping to have children. The spring has a small mausoleum next to it.
Kulunatin or Kulun Ata area is not very popular yet and therefore it is very much off the beaten path. You can get to the territory of the reserve only by 4×4 car which is suitable for the rough mountain roads or by hiking. From Kolduk bus stop you can negotiate with local taxi drivers to take to a certain point or you can also rent a horse from the village.