Harvest time in the world's largest walnut grove
LEADIN
Thousands of families in southern Kyrgyzstan are on the move to get their share of this year's lucrative walnut harvest.
The village of Arslanbob is home to the world's largest walnut grove and has been farmed since the time of Alexander the Great who led his troops through the area on his way back to Europe.
But as the harvest begins, there are fears over the sustainability of the produce which supports so many of the area's population.
STORYLINE:
Nuts to some, but to the people here in Kyrgystan, it's a way of life.
In the world's largest walnut orchard by the village of Arslanbob, harvest season means a farming frenzy for one of the area's most lucrative exports.
The same techniques have been used for centuries.
With no protection, safety harness or rope, skillfull climbers such as this one carefully scale walnut trees before shaking branches vigorously sending the walnuts crashing to earth.
The women and children then scramble below to pick up the fallen walnuts, before storing them in bags weighing 20 kilograms each (44 pounds).
At 50 to 100 Kyrgyzstani Soms ($1 to $2 USD) a kilogram (2.2 pounds), these nuts represent an important source of income for this family.
Our grandparents already used this land before us, and we want to do the same and leave it to the next generation. Our plan is to use this land every year, not to leave it to other people even for just one year because we are afraid they won't take good care of it. That is why we come every year, says Ulugbek Ahunboev, a walnut harvester.
During the month-long walnut harvest, Ulugbek and his family camp in the forest on the plot of land they are renting from the Forestry Department, so as to make sure no one else will steal the precious produce.
In total, around 3,500 families from Arslanbob share the 16,000 hectares (40,000 acres) that make up the world's largest walnut grove.
The land belongs to the state, but in exchange for a general fee and a tax on the walnuts, each plot of forest can be leased for up to 49 years.
But, it wasn't always like that.
During Soviet times, there was no tax on nuts. We had to give all our walnuts to the Forestry Department and we got paid at a fixed price. But still, when we gave the nuts, we used to keep some for ourselves. Now we don't do this anymore and we just give a share of the nuts to the forestry department. All the rest is yours, and you remain the owner of your walnuts, says Qambarali Qoraliev, a land renter.
Others, like Foziljon Arabboev, are not so lucky.
With no land left for leasing, harvesters such as him must rely on their climbing skills alone to get hired during harvest season.
But the work is dangerous.
Every year, according to the Arslanbob's Forestry Department, two or three people die from falling from trees.
It's dangerous work and it is not easy to climb but I have to feed my children. That is why we do this job, for the family. But it's dangerous and we ask Allah to protect us from falling. Allah will save us�so we climb the tree, says Arabboev.
Around 1,500 tons of walnuts are usually collected annually from the grove to support the local economy.
But there are now environmental concerns growing.
After the fall of the Soviet Union, farmers began investing more heavily in livestock as a secure source of revenue, leading to overgrazing in the area.
Additionally, harvesters hoping to earn more money often leave little seeds behind for a new generation of saplings, leading to overharvesting.
Another danger is the illegal felling of wood, which the inhabitants of Arslanbob and some of the surrounding villages use for heating.
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Kyrgyzstan's vast, ancient walnut forest
(8 Nov 2016) LEAD IN:
Walnuts were first introduced to Europe from Kyrgyzstan during the time of Alexander the Great.
At least, that's according to growers from Arslanbob - a vast, ancient walnut forest that produces 1,500 tones of walnuts a year.
STORY-LINE:
This is Arslanbob, a walnut forest, located about 700 kilometres (430 miles) South-West of the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek.
According to local legend, Alexander the Great took walnuts from this land to Greece more than two-thousand years ago.
Two-thousand hectares of the 13,000 hectare forest are taken up by walnut trees.
Residents pay the forestry to collect the walnuts and then sell them.
According to the 492 Kyrgyz Republic's government decree we lend it to local residents, Batyrbek Umetov, chief forester of the Arslanbob forestry explains. Lessees sign an agreement with us, they pay us money and use it.
Some of the trees here are 1,000 years old.
At 30 metres (98 feet) tall, they grow on the banks of rivers and on mountain hills at an altitude of 1,000-1,800 metres (3,280-5,905 feet) above sea level.
Bakytbk Ermekov, the head of territorial administration of the Jalal Abad State Environmental Protection Agency and Forestry, says the walnut trees are protected.
There are the first relics, unique walnut forests on the territory, the walnut genetic pool is under conservation by the states of Dashman villages, Arslanbob and Kyzyl Unkur of Jalal Abad region.
Locals say the trees are part of their heritage and want visitors to preserve and respect the natural wealth of the forest.
Abdulla, a student from Turkey, says he came here especially to visit the forest.
I came from Antalya to see this beautiful landscape, those walnut forests, those waterfalls which are in Arslanbob. Arslanbob has very interesting and beautiful history. Alexander the Great was here himself. He took walnut fruits from here, he says.
Locals say that Arslanbob is the largest and only natural walnut source in the world, producing some 1,500 tones of walnuts per year.
The walnut industry creates employment for thousands of people, with some employed to crack the nuts and others working to sort the nuts ready for packaging and selling.
Up to 10,000 people may be employed in the walnut kernel industry in high season, according to an estimate by the Program on Forests (ProFor) at the World Bank.
The Institute for Walnut and Fruit crops is currently working on developing types of walnuts that ripen faster.
Nuridin Zhunusov is the director of the institute for the Southern National Academy of Kyrgyz Sciences Department.
He explains the different types of walnuts discovered in the area.
This walnut (in left hand) is a Kyrgyz Giant discovered by our co-worker Akim Nurlayevich, this is the shape of a walnut. And this 9 inch (in right hand) is the Kyrgyz Bombasy type, which was found earlier. The difference between them is only that the latest Giant is bigger than the Kyrgyz Bombasy, he says.
Lately we bred them through the mother plant of the Kyrgyz Bombasy. Also, we mixed with other types of walnuts and got types that ripen quicker, he says.
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Kyrgyz Walnuts, The Forbidden Fruit
Arslanbob is an ancient walnut forest on the slopes of the Tian Shan mountains in southern Kyrgyzstan. Every fall, the locals, mostly ethnic Uzbeks, harvest walnuts for sale at Central Asia's biggest walnut market.
Originally published at -
Arslanbob Walnut Forest
Arslanbob Walnut Forest in Kyrgyzstan.
Aerial panorama video.
Arslanbob - walnut forest
Lasy orzechowe w Arslanbob (Kirgistan - Pasmo Fergańskie)
Góry Tien-Szan. Pasmo Fergańskie.
Tien-Shan Mountains. Fergana Range
Save Kyrgyzstan’s walnut paradise | Global 3000
Southern Kyrgyzstan is home to the world‘s largest walnut forest. Every fall the locals there harvest millions of walnuts. But the unique biotope is under threat from deforestation and grazing livestock.
More enviromental topics:
Kyrgyzstan: Walnuts Boost Farmers' Income
United Nations - One of the world’s most ancient walnut trees stand tall in Kyrgyzstan. Farmers are now reaping the benefits from the nuts, harvesting them in the middle of the rainy season.
UN in Action, Episode #1485
Script (Pdf): h
Kyrgyzstan's vast, ancient walnut forest
(9 Nov 2016) KYRGYZSTAN NUTS
SOURCE: AP HORIZONS, LIFESTYLE, HEALTH AND TECHNOLOGY
RESTRICTIONS: HORIZONS CLIENTS AND AP LIFESTYLE, HEALTH AND TECHNOLOGY CLIENTS ONLY
LENGTH: 4:35
AP Television
Arslanbob, Kyrgyzstan - 15 October 2016
1. Various of the Arslanbob forestry area and walnut trees
2. Close up of walnuts on the ground
3. SOUNDBITE (Kyrgyz) Batyrbek Umetov, chief forester of the Arslanbob forestry:
The walnut forest itself covers 2,085 hectares. According to the 492 Kyrgyz Republic's government decree we lend it to local residents. Lessees sign an agreement with us, they pay us money and they use it.
4. Various of walnuts being collected collected in forest
5. Close up walnuts in bucket
6. SOUNDBITE (Kyrgyz) Bakytbk Ermekov, Jalal Abad Head of Territorial Administration of the State Environmental Protection Agency and Forestry under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic:
There are the first relics, unique walnut forests on the territory, the walnut genetic pool is under conservation by the states of Dashman villages, Arslanbob and Kyzyl Unkur of Jalal Abad region.
7. Various of waterfall on the forestry's territory
8. Sign reading (English) Preservation of Nature! and (Kyrgyz/Russian) Save our forest heritage.
9. SOUNDBITE (Turkish) Abdulla (only one name given), student from Turkey:
I came from Antalya to see this beautiful landscape, those walnut forests, those waterfalls which are in Arslanbob. Arslanbob has very interesting and beautiful history. Alexander the Great was here himself. He took walnuts from here.
10. Drone shot of forest
11. Wide of workers in walnut factory
12. Close of walnut being shelled
13. Various of women preparing walnuts
14. Worker using walnut shelling machine
15. Various of shelled nuts coming out of machine
16. Various of women sorting walnuts
17. Walnuts in bags
18. Various of nuts being packed
19. Close up of a product tag
20. SOUNDBITE (Kyrgyz) Nuridin Zhunusov, director of the institute for Walnut and Fruit crops of Southern National Academy of Kyrgyz Sciences Department:
This walnut (in left hand) is a Kyrgyz giant discovered by our co-worker Akim Nurlayevich, this is the shape of a walnut. And this 9 inch (in right hand) is the Kyrgyz Bombasy type, which was found earlier. The difference between them is only that the latest giant is bigger than the Kyrgyz Bombasy.
21. Close up cutaway of nuts
22. SOUNDBITE (Kyrgyz) Nuridin Zhunusov, director of the institute for Walnut and Fruit crops of Southern National Academy of Kyrgyz Sciences Department:
Lately we bred them through the mother plant of the Kyrgyz Bombasy. Also, we mixed with other types of walnuts and got types that ripen quicker.
23. Various drone shots of the forest
LEADIN:
Walnuts were first introduced to Europe from Kyrgyzstan during the time of Alexander the Great.
At least, that's according to growers from Arslanbob - a vast, ancient walnut forest that produces 1,500 tones of walnuts a year.
STORYLINE:
This is Arslanbob, a walnut forest, located about 700 kilometres (430 miles) South-West of the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek.
According to local legend, Alexander the Great took walnuts from this land to Greece more than two-thousand years ago.
Two-thousand hectares of the 13,000 hectare forest are taken up by walnut trees.
Residents pay the forestry to collect the walnuts and then sell them.
According to the 492 Kyrgyz Republic's government decree we lend it to local residents, Batyrbek Umetov, chief forester of the Arslanbob forestry explains. Lessees sign an agreement with us, they pay us money and use it.
Some of the trees here are 1,000 years old.
Abdulla, a student from Turkey, says he came here especially to visit the forest.
====
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Kyrgyzstan: Protecting the Walnut Forests
United Nations - One of the world’s most ancient walnut trees stand tall in Kyrgyzstan. Farmers are now reaping the benefits from the nuts, harvesting them in the middle of the rainy season
UN Stories, Kyrgyzstan: Protecting the Walnut Forests
Arslanbob
Arslanbob – Wild Walnut Forest & Waterfalls
Arslanbob (Written and pronounced in Kyrgyz as “Arstanbap”) is one of the most famous places in Kyrgyzstan.
Arslanbob is the name of the large wild walnut (Juglans regia) forest, but is also the name of the big Uzbek village nestled right at the base of some of the most spectacular mountains in Kyrgyzstan. In addition to the similarly named sub district, valley, and mountain range all located in the Jalal-Abad Region of Kyrgyzstan.
The vast tracts of lush green woodland with nut and fruit trees in the valley of the River Arslanbob are actually the largest of their kind in the world.
This scenery combined with some of the most welcome guesthouses in Kyrgyzstan make it one of the places not to miss on any visit to Central Asia.
The suffix ‘Bob’ is commonly used in the region meaning “a traveler and explorer”; so COME be a ‘Bob’ to Arslanbob!
Music courtesy of ; Remember by Anno Domini Beats
free under creative licence from youtube music library
THE ALPS OF KYRGYZSTAN // ARSLANBOB // KYRGYZSTAN TRAVEL VLOG
#TimezoneJunkies #Hitchhiking #Kyrgyzstan #Hitchhike
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We left Nazgulia and her family in Osh and began hitchhiking towards beautiful Arslanbob, home to the world's largest walnut forest.
Music from:
Acoustic guitar - Audionautix
Succotash - Silent Partner
Kyzy Kyzyl Oruk - Aygerim Rasul
Saphire - Tobu
Send it to me - Cool guitar music (royalty free music)
Chan Chan - Buena Vista Social Club
Acoustic Breeze - Bensound
Moldy lotion - Light foot
Pick up and play - Alumno
Sthlm Sunset - Ehrling
Carpe Diem - Carpe Diem
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Special thanks to Malin's dad for the thumbnail.
Walnut forest in Arslanbob / Lasy orzechowe w Arslanbob
Fergana Range kyrgyzstan, august 2007
Kirgistan - Arslanbob Community Based Tourism
Arslanbob in South Kirgistan is famous for its huge walnut forests. The town is located at 1600 m above sea level in the stunning Fergana mountains. Affordable, community based eco tourism makes it possible to meet the friendly people, to share their traditions and explore this fascinating region of Central Asia, by foot, horse, bike or ski.
Arslanbob - camp site
360° on our camp site: we're in the middle, in local's view ;-)
Arslanbob-an Uzbek village in Kyrgyzstan mountains
Arslanbob is central to one of Kyrgyzstan’s most remarkable regions – the vast relic walnut forest which stretches east and west of the village to cover a total area of 11,000ha. The large, sprawling village of Arslanbob serves as the market centre for the entire region as well as a summer resort with a gentle climate. Arslanbob is actually far more than this though: unusually for Kyrgyzstan, the village itself is a highly attractive place with a population that is almost entirely Uzbek, and with gorgeous mountain scenery, friendly locals and a pioneering local CBT group, it is hard to beat as a base for hikes in the hills that surround the village or as a start or end point for more energetic treks deep into the mountains. - See more at:
Arslanbob - Interview with Hayat Tarikov - Matador CH 3
Arslanbob , Kyrgyzstan
Arslalbob (Kyrgyzstan) - Walnut capital of the world.
Ageluiov Xgoleaguu, Master walnut wood craftsman from Arslanbob, Kyrgyzstan
Ageluiov Xgoleaguu ( ) explains how he shapes walnut and other wood pieces in his small shop in Arslanbob, a village made up of mostly Uzbek minority in southern Kyrgyzstan.