Ambassador Speeches

Hon’ble Akyl Toktobaev, Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic

Hon’ble Member of Parliament 

Excellencies 

Mr Kubanychbeck Jumabai Uulu

Ladies and Gentlemen 

Salamatsyzdarby, Dobroe Ytro,  Namaskar 

    First of all I would like to thank the organisers Snow Leopard Foundation in Kyrgyzstan for extending an invite to participate in the 12th Annual Range Citizen Award Ceremony which is result of a partnership between the Kyrgyz Ministry, SLF and Snow Leopard Trust, I would like to congratulate the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision for their steadfast commitment to honouring frontline rangers since the inception of the awards.  This has become a milestone for conservation efforts across the Snow Leopard range.  We recognise and salute the guardian angels of the ‘Ghosts of the Mountains’ who brave the cold icy winds and snow at extremely high altitudes to protect and conserve the national symbol of the Kyrgyz Republic.  Let us all remember that it was at the initiation of the Kyrgyz Republic that 23rd October was designated as the UN International Day of Snow Leopard.

    As many of you would be aware that India also has a large presence of snow leopards and 2024 Snow Leopard Assessment in India (SPAI) estimates 718 snow leopards in India with the highest concentration of about 477 in Ladakh.  They also inhabit high altitude rocky terrains in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. 

    It is because of this reason that following Bishkek Declaration of 2013, India along with 11 other snow leopard range countries became a member of Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP).  Our Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs and Environment Forest and Climate Change visited Kyrgyz Republic in June 2025 to participate in the Ministerial Steering Committee Meeting of GSLEP.  Hon’ble Prime Minister Modi during his 2019 visit to Bishkek had laid the Roadmap and had stated that “our focus remains steadfast on enhancing cooperation in Snow Leopard Conservation, green tourism and capacity building .”

    Guided by Hon’ble Prime Minister‘s vision, India has supported the Kyrgyz conservation practitioners by facilitating their participation in advance training in wildlife conservation practices in India under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme.  In 2025 and 2026, Mr Almaz Satybekov, Director of State Natural Park “Karatal – Zhapyrdyk”, Mr. Osmon Zhoomart, Director of State Natural Park “Khan – Tenigri”, Mr. Zairbek Kubanychbekov, Director of Public Foundation “Ilbirs Foundation” and Mr. Maksatbekov Zhoomart, National Coordinator of GSLEP  have participated in ITEC courses conducted in collaboration with IBCA. Ms. Zhumagul Alymbekova of Ilbirs Foundation is expected to participate in Integrated Management and Excellence in Big Cat Health by IBCA and VANTARA from 16 - 20 March 2026.

    Your Excellency, Hon’ble Minister,

    As you would have noticed, many Kyrgyz Wildlife Conservation Practitioners are already participating in courses being conducted in collaboration with IBCA. I would urge the Kyrgyz Republic through your good offices to become a member of the International Big Cat Alliance by signing the Framework Agreement.

    Acknowledging India’s success in tiger, Leopard and snow leopard conversation,  International Big Cat Alliance was launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister Modi on 9 April 2023 for conservation of 7 big cats namely, Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma across their ranges at global level.

Thank You.