В Чон-Алае благодаря малым грантам развивают экотуризм

Eco-Tourism Development in Chon-Alai Driven by Small Grants

The first phase of the Small Grants Programme (SGP) has concluded. Implemented by the “CAMP Alatoo” PF since early this year, the initiative is part of the GEF-UNDP project “Integrated community-based management of high value mountain ecosystems in southern Kyrgyzstan for multiple benefits”.

The 2026 tourist season has brought initial results for SGP participants. Entrepreneurs received funding to bring their eco-tourism ideas to life and adopt green technologies, enabling them to generate alternative income without harming their region’s unique natural environment.

“CAMP Alatoo” PF specialists visited the participants to assess the effective use of funds and celebrate these early achievements. We are launching a series of articles detailing each success story.

The first installment features entrepreneurs who are advancing eco-tourism in mountain areas and integrating green solutions into their recreational facilities.

Solar Panels Replacing Noisy Generators

Moldonur Muratov owns a small tourist camp on the picturesque Kuldanbes jailoo (summer pasture). He welcomes guests with authentic national hospitality—offering yurt accommodations, traditional cuisine, and horseback rides.

This season (May through August), Moldonur expanded his capacity significantly. SGP support enabled him to increase his yurts from two to four, hosting and accommodating over 4,000 domestic and international visitors.

The persistent rumble of a gasoline generator no longer disrupts the mountain tranquility. Grant funds were used to install a 4 kW solar power system, fully capturing the abundant mountain sunlight to provide an uninterrupted power supply.

Eliminating constant noise is the eco-camp's main highlight; many tourists seek out the mountains precisely for peace, quiet, and a connection with nature. Reduced noise pollution also benefits the local wildlife.

Embracing modern eco-trends, Moldonur used grant funding to purchase waste-sorting bins. At his own expense, he also planted trees and built an artificial pond for trout farming to make the stay even more comfortable.

An Oasis in a Mountain Gorge

Bazarbai Asanov’s recreation area, located in a remote mountain gorge, offers another success story. After receiving a yurt through the grant program to accommodate guests, he independently piped clean drinking water from a mountain spring and planted apple saplings and juniper bushes across the grounds.

Over 400 people visited the area this summer. Bazarbai’s upcoming plans include building a swimming pool and a sports field for outdoor activities.

A key outcome of his initiative was creating temporary jobs for 11 local villagers. They cleared and developed the terrain while preparing infrastructure for next season. Local women managed catering and guest services, while the men handled maintenance and construction.

According to Bazarbai, this season was an investment in the future. Nearly all earnings—plus additional personal funds—went toward laying the water pipeline, landscaping, and enhancing guest comfort. Although initial expenses exceeded profit, he remains confident the investment will pay off.

Economic Impact

The small grants provided a crucial outcome: enabling entrepreneurs to expand hospitality infrastructure and welcome more tourists. Increased guest volume raised earnings—or laid a strong foundation for near-term revenue growth, as seen with Bazarbai Asanov.

The entrepreneurs plan to reinvest their profits into expanding their businesses. This directly aligns with the Small Grants Programme’s core mission: establishing sustainable, alternative sources of income for local communities.

Main page image generated by AI.