Yagnob ICCA 2017

Exploratory trip in Yagnob Valley in June 2017. The valley was established as Tajikistan's newest national park in May 2019, with the dual goals to protect both the natural environment and the special cultural heritage of the Yagnobi people. The Yagnobi people are the last descendants of the Sogdian empire and they particularly value and wish to preserve their language. Recognizing the extraordinary Yagnob region and its people as a potential ICCA, or Territory of Life, we encourage partnership between the local people and the national park under a framework of shared governance and collaborative management with significant authority entrusted to them to govern the park.
(Additional note: Encouraging steps are already being taken by the national government, in partnership with local communities, in regard to developing and establishing appropriate co-management approaches in the park.)