Dushanbe, December 13, 2025 – The Europe Today: Climate change is posing a serious and growing threat to Tajikistan’s ecosystems, particularly its forests, which cover only about 3 percent of the country’s territory but play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance. Experts warn that rising temperatures and reduced rainfall are accelerating forest degradation, increasing the frequency of natural disasters, and threatening biodiversity across the country.
Forests in Tajikistan are essential for regulating climate, preventing soil erosion and landslides, and supporting local livelihoods by providing fuel, medicinal plants, fodder, and food. However, since the 1990s, forested areas have declined sharply. Historical data indicate that forests once covered nearly 20 percent of the country a century ago, while today that figure has fallen to just 3 percent. Tugai forests, in particular, have shrunk by more than eight times.
Local residents have witnessed this change firsthand. Odina, who grew up near the foothills of the Hisor Ridge, recalls that in the 1980s, dense forests of hawthorn, wild pear, plum, almond, and tall native trees provided shelter for wildlife and sustenance for people. When he returned decades later, much of the forest had disappeared, leaving once-green landscapes exposed and barren.
Environmental experts link deforestation and climate change to a rise in floods, landslides, droughts, and soil erosion across Tajikistan. Forest loss has weakened natural barriers that once protected mountainous regions, making communities and agriculture more vulnerable. Higher temperatures have also increased the risk of wildfires, with recent incidents reported in areas such as Varzob and Penjikent, while climate conditions have encouraged the spread of forest pests, including bark beetles, threatening rare tree species.
The degradation of forests has also placed biodiversity at risk. Several rare plant species, including the Vavilov almond and Turanga, are now under threat due to habitat loss and changing climate patterns.
In response, the government of Tajikistan has launched forest restoration initiatives to mitigate the effects of climate change. Under the international Bonn Challenge, the country has pledged to restore 66,000 hectares of degraded forest land by 2030. Restoration efforts focus on planting climate-resilient species such as pistachio, walnut, and saxaul. Additionally, the 2022–2026 Forestry Development Program aims to modernize nurseries and establish industrial plantations to improve forest productivity and meet local needs.
Authorities emphasize that the involvement of local communities is critical to the success of these efforts. In districts such as Sangvor and Shamsiddin-Shohin, residents are being engaged in sustainable forest management, including the responsible collection of berries and medicinal plants. This approach supports ecosystem recovery while creating alternative income opportunities for local populations.
Experts conclude that while climate change has significantly damaged Tajikistan’s forests and increased environmental risks, ongoing restoration programs and community involvement offer a pathway to strengthening ecosystem resilience and reducing the long-term impacts of climate change.
