Scholars of the republic are working under the fourth edition of Red Book of Uzbekistan. It was stated at the press conference held in Tashkent’s National Press Center with participation of leading scholars and expert-ecologists. The action was organized by the State Committee for Nature Protection of Uzbekistan and Ecologic Publishing Company Chinor EPC.

Wealth of flora and fauna of Uzbekistan is defined by a special geographic location of the country in the middle of Central Asian region on the joint of several biological areas and diverse natural conditions. Typical ecosystems consist of deserts, mountain steppes, forests, meadows, rivers, numerous lakes and landscapes. Fauna of these places has a long roots and complicated genetic affinities.

Most part is territory is occupied by animals brought from Indochina, the Mediterranean and steppes of Eurasia. Fauna includes 105 species of mammals, 441 species of birds, 60 species of reptiles, 76 species of fish and three species of amphibians. Those include snow leopard, Bukhoro deer, saiga, wild goat, Severtsev sheep, marmots, Turkestan lynx, and major prey birds. The ancient Uzbek land also rich in flora. Penetration of other crops brought to exclusive diversity.

Today, in the territory of Uzbekistan grow 4500 kinds of wild higher plants and more than 2000 species of mushrooms. Every tenth species is a relict one. Major of plants are medicinal and nutritive. After gaining independence the government approved the progressive law on environment protection, territories of preserves and protected areas extended.

Studies conducted by scholars enable to strike off some species of animals and plants from Red Book as they are not more in danger of extinction, and vise versa, to include some other species. There were discovered other new species of plants as well. One of them is new specie of tulip that was named after the renowned Uzbek researcher Sharipov’s Tulip. (Source: Uzbekistan Today Newspaper)