The Protected areas of Kyrgyzstan are regulated by the law on specially protected natural areas of 2 May 2011, last modified on 2 June 2018.^[1] In total, they cover 14,761.216 km² (5,699.337 sq mi) and account for 7.38% of the country's total area (as of 2017).^[2][3] The first protected area in Kyrgyzstan (Issyk-Kul) was established in 1948.^[3] According to the Government Decree on Priorities of Conservation of Biological Diversity and the relevant Action Plan for 2014-2024 the target area for the protected areas in Kyrgyzstan is 10 percent of the country’s area by 2024.^[4]

The protected areas are subdivided into seven categories:^[3]

Nature Reserves

The Nature Reserves (Kyrgyz: жаратылыш коругу, Russian: природный заповедник) are the strictest protected areas, in which little human activity is allowed. As of 2017, there were 10 nature reserves:^[3]

Nature Parks

The Nature Parks (Kyrgyz: жаратылыш паркы, Russian: природный парк) are IUCN Category II protected areas. In contrast to the nature reserves, recreational uses are permitted in nature parks. As of 2017, there were 13 nature parks:^[3]

Natural Monuments

There are 19 official natural monuments (IUCN Category III) (Kyrgyz: жаратылыш эстелиги, Russian: памятник природы) or hydrogeological reserves (Kyrgyz: гидрогеологиялык заказник, Russian: гидрогеологический заказник) in Kyrgyzstan:^[5]

Integrated Reserves

As of 2017, there were 2 integrated or complex reserves:

Botanical Reserves

As of 2017, there were 23 botanical reserves:

Game Reserves

Forest Reserves