After decades of advocacy and vision, a historic milestone has been reached for the Yaghnobi people and Tajikistan’s natural and cultural heritage: on May 2, 2019, the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan officially declared the creation of the “Yagnob National Natural Park”. This landmark decision, formalized in Regulation Act §227, fulfills a vision first introduced in the early 1990s and reaffirmed at the 2007 international conference “Ancient Sogdiana: Past, Present and Future”.
A Park Rooted in Cultural and Ecological Significance
The park’s creation acknowledges the Yagnob Valley’s significant ecological, historical, and ethnographic value. Its goals include preserving nature, protecting cultural heritage (ethnography, archaeology, landscapes), and promoting ecological tourism and research. The park will encompass areas from the Ayni District in the Sughd Region, integrating existing reserves and local lands.
Funding for the park will come from economic profits, domestic and foreign investments. The State Committee for Land Management and Geodesy, with the Forestry Agency, will handle land allocation and submit legal documents for approval.
This act offers a unique chance to safeguard the Yagnobi language, traditions, and landscape, enabling:
- Community-led ecotourism
- Cultural education and language revitalization
- Scientific research
- International conservation cooperation
This designation builds on years of local advocacy, academic research, and global support, from early proposals in 1991 and international declarations in 2007 to community efforts in Zafarobod and the valley itself. It powerfully affirms Yagnob’s significance in Central Asia’s cultural and environmental landscape.
Next Steps
While the legal framework is in place, the real work is just starting. The key task now is to translate this declaration into tangible infrastructure, education programs, ecological protections, and active community involvement.
The park’s success hinges on:
- Clear and open governance
- Investing in local skills and resources
- Valuing the Yaghnobi community’s guidance and wisdom
We urge all collaborators—local, national, and international—to back the implementation phase, ensuring this park thrives as a vibrant space where culture and nature coexist and flourish.
Official Source
Regulation Act No. 227
Government of the Republic of Tajikistan
Signed by President Emomali Rahmon
Dushanbe, May 2, 2019