A petition has been launched to preserve the Botanical Garden. Social media calls for writing to the prosecutor's office.

A petition titled "Save the Botanical Garden named after Gareev" has been launched on Change.org, authored by Angelina Mikheeva.

The document states that the Botanical Garden serves as the lungs of the city and an important place for residents to relax, as well as being a scientific center engaged in the study of flora, the protection of rare plant species, and environmental education. Angelina emphasizes that the area of this garden is 42 hectares, and the loss of even one hectare would have catastrophic consequences.

The petition also discusses plans to reduce the garden's territory for the construction of sports facilities. According to the author, such a decision could destroy the results of many years of work by scientists and ecologists aimed at preserving biodiversity. She calls for the search for alternative locations for construction.

As of 5:00 PM on January 17, the petition has already gathered 1,006 signatures, and the collection continues.

Additionally, social media users in Kyrgyzstan are actively urging to contact government authorities regarding the situation with the Botanical Garden through the "Tunduk" app. In particular, it is suggested to send appeals to the Bishkek City Hall, the Presidential Administration, the National Academy of Sciences, and to file complaints with the prosecutor's office demanding a check on the legality of construction on the garden's territory. A template for the appeal is also provided on social media.

Click here to view the appeal template
Subject of the appeal:

On the legality of construction of capital facilities on the territory of the Botanical Garden named after E. Gareev (Protected Natural Area)

Text of the appeal:

I, (your full name), am writing to you regarding my concern about the construction work being carried out on the territory of the Botanical Garden named after E. Gareev in Bishkek (site on Akhunbaeva St./April 7 St.). Currently, the pouring of a concrete foundation for football fields and the installation of sports enclosures has begun on the garden's territory.

I would like to remind you that, according to the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic from January 2025, the Botanical Garden has been granted the status of "Protected Natural Area" (PNA).

According to the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic "On Protected Natural Areas":

1. Any activity that does not comply with the established protection regime and intended purpose is prohibited on the territory of the PNA.

2. The construction of capital sports facilities (football fields) is not included in the list of permitted activities, as it causes damage to the ecosystem, soil cover, and irrigation network of the scientific institution.

Based on the above, I request:

1. To conduct a check on the legality of the construction work and the pouring of the foundation on the territory of the Botanical Garden.

2. To verify the presence of a positive conclusion from the state environmental expertise for this project.

3. To check the compliance of these works with the protection regime of the PNA.

4. In case of violations, to issue an order for the immediate suspension of work, dismantling of installed structures, and reclamation (restoration) of the damaged land plot.

5. To provide a response within the legally established time frame to the email address specified in the "Tunduk" personal account.

Date: (day) January 2026.

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To write an appeal, you need to enter the "Tunduk" app, click on the "Cabinet" icon on the main panel, then find the category "Appeal" and select "Write an appeal".

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This week it became known that the Presidential Administration has begun construction of two football fields to the left of the main entrance, along April 7 Street. It is specified that the chosen site has rocky soil and experiences a water shortage, making it impossible to root green plantings.

Opposition to the construction of football fields has come from parliament member Dastan Bekeshev, as well as a number of public figures and local residents.

The President of the National Academy of Sciences, Kanat Abdrakhmatov, noted that the construction of two mini-football fields would occupy only 0.18% of the territory of the Botanical Garden and would not cause harm to the site.