Saiga Day started in 2010, as part of SOS Saiga Project. The first saiga day was celebrated in Jaslyk and now over 14 years Saiga Day has been celebrated in all corners of Uzbekistan. In 2024 In addition to Karakalpakstan, Saiga Day was held for the first time in the Tashkent region at the Chatkal Biosphere Reserve. Since 2023, Saiga Day is enshrined in the Resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
This decree is recognition of saiga day across the country coupled with the news that 2024 has been named the year of the saiga rewards the dedication and hard work of our colleagues in Uzbekistan.
The environmental education programme, Saiga Day, brings young people across Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia and Russia together with the aim of raising awareness of saiga conservation. Using field trips, ranger meet and greets, Art, music, dance, sport presentations and debate to celebrate Saiga This experience allows the younger generation to better understand saiga and the steppe, the importance of conserving biodiversity and their role in this process.
Saiga Day 2024 was celebrated in n Ustyurt (Uzbekistan) between May 3-6, with more than 1,250 students, 720 teachers, 420 parents and other community members from more than 12 schools in 7 towns of Karakalpakstan taking part. This year these celebrations are a partnership between the Institute of Zoology Saiga Conservation Alliance, Ecomaktab, Uz-Kor Gas Chemical LLC JV and the Saigachiy Integrated reserve and occurred in Nukus, Jaslyk, Karakalpakiya, Beleuli, Kyrkyz, Elabad and Muynak.
Saiga day is a shining example of how education and entertainment can be combined to engage young people on important environmental issues and instil in them a love and respect for nature.
In part two of this two part series we take a close look at activities in Beleuli, Kyrkyz, Elabad and Muynak.
Great Steppe Adventure: Saiga Day in Beleuli
On May 6, 2024, the Beleuli tourist base at the Saigachy Complex Reserve hosted the “The Great Steppe is Our Common Home” event for Saiga Day. Participants from across Uzbekistan, including environmental experts, media, and schoolchildren, gathered for a day of education and celebration.
Event Highlights:
- Morning Activities: Participants travelled from Nukus to Beleuli, welcomed by the Saiga Conservation Alliance, Uz-Kor Gas Chemical LLC JV, and the Saigachy Reserve. Safety briefings ensured a responsible approach to the outdoor event.
- Young Inspectors Program: Children engaged in master classes, first aid training, team competitions, tent setup, and environmentally themed crossword puzzles.
- Treasures of the Steppe: A game where teams of schoolchildren searched for clues and solved riddles about steppe wildlife, combining entertainment with education.
- Experience the Great Steppe Excursion: Participants used binoculars and GPS trackers to observe local flora and fauna, guided by informative stories about the region’s biodiversity.
- Final Ceremony: Participants shared their experiences and received prizes, highlighting the event’s significance and inspiring future conservation efforts.
The Saigachy Reserve, established in 2016, spans 628,300 hectares in Karakalpakstan, protecting saiga and other rare species. Saiga Day, organised since 2008, aims to raise awareness of saiga conservation among youth through diverse activities.
2024: Year of Saiga and Educational Initiatives in Muynak
In Karakalpakstan, 2024 was declared the Year of the Saiga, emphasizing efforts to protect this unique species. The Saiga Day celebration on May 4 at School No. 4 in Muynak, organized by teacher Gauhar Tanabergenova with participation from Lalagul Toremuratova and students from School No. 5, embodied the theme “The Great Steppe is our common home.”
Key Highlights:
- Educational Lessons: Students from Schools No. 4 and No. 5 participated in lessons about the biodiversity of the steppe and the importance of saiga conservation.
- Creative Competitions: Environmentally themed drawing and craft competitions helped students express their desire to preserve the steppe’s unique ecosystem.
- Exhibitions: Information stands and exhibitions on saigas and the Great Steppe’s flora and fauna educated students and teachers, fostering a deeper understanding of environmental issues.
- Distinguished Guests: Environmental inspectors and representatives from the Saigachiy Reserve attended, congratulating students and emphasizing the importance of saiga conservation.
The event coincided with International Saiga Day on May 5, part of the “SOS Saiga!” project supported by the Saiga Conservation Alliance. The celebration at School No. 4 highlighted the impact of educational initiatives and the collaboration between local and international conservation efforts, inspiring participants to continue protecting their native biodiversity.
Saiga Day 2024 in Ustyurt: Celebrations in Kyrkyz and Elabad
In early May, as saigas return to the steppes of Karakalpakia to birth a new generation, the villages of Kyrkyz and Elabad celebrated Saiga Day. This tradition, highlighting the importance of saiga conservation, has expanded across Uzbekistan since 2023, supported by a presidential resolution.
Event Highlights:
- Festive Program: Under the motto “The Great Steppe is our common home,” School No. 31 in Kyrkyz hosted drawing competitions, quizzes, crossword puzzles, mini-performances, and sports competitions. An open lesson on the event’s theme was also held.
- Participation: Over 300 schoolchildren and 100 adults from the villages participated, supported by the Saiga Conservation Alliance and Uz-Kor Gas Chemical employees. Village elders shared memories of when saigas roamed the Ustyurt steppes.
During the ceremony, participants exchanged valuable knowledge and experiences, strengthening the network of activists and specialists. Integrating educational content and involving local communities make Saiga Day a significant event. Innovative methods like ecological theater make learning interactive, fostering a deep understanding of conservation. This initiative promotes species preservation and instills a commitment to sustainable practices, laying the foundation for ongoing environmental protection efforts.