Zaamin State Nature Reserve
The Zaamin tourist area is an ecologically clean area that has preserved its original appearance and has a unique flora and fauna. It is located on the territory of the Zaamin Nature Reserve in the Jizzakh region of Uzbekistan on the tourist route between Samarkand and Tashkent. It is known from history that Zaamin was part of one of the oldest regions of Central Asia, Ustrushan, which lay between the ancient regions: Soghd, Bactria, Fergana and Chach. According to archaeological sources, Zaamin is more than two thousand years old (II-I centuries BC). During excavations in the Zaamin district, the remains of settlements dating back more than 2,500 years were found. "Zaamin" means "arable land" in Persian and Tajik, because in ancient times the region was famous for its fertile soil. The Zaamin Nature Reserve occupies more than 24,000 hectares and has a unique landscape with a pronounced mountain range, slightly decreasing from east to west and covering the mid-mountain and high-mountain range at an altitude of 1760 to 3500 m. above sea level.
The territory of modern Zaamin is a green area rich in representatives of the feathered world. In the midst of juniper forests, you can find such rare birds as woodpecker, bunting, turtle dove, black-throated thrush, Turkestan owl and Turkestan starling. An unusual bird lives here - the juniper oakbill, with black, yellow and green plumage, feeding on juniper seeds. The permanent inhabitants of the Zaamin highlands are the Turkestan lynx, the black stork, the Central Asian ibex and the white-capped bear. Special attention should be paid to the rare flora of Zaamin, nicknamed "Uzbek" Switzerland. The park's territory is covered by coniferous and juniper (juniper) forests, the only ones in the whole of Central Asia. More than 800 plant species grow here, dozens of them are endemic.
In addition to its unique nature, Zaamin has rich recreational resources. The National park is ideal for ecotourism, because it is not for nothing that the Zaamin Mountains are a candidate for the UNESCO World Heritage Site List. The Zaamin Reserve looks especially beautiful in spring and autumn. During these seasons, the flora of the park is painted in bright and colorful colors, and the mountain air acquires a pleasant freshness. The unique features of the national nature reserve make Zaamin an ideal place for active tourism, as well as for sanatorium-type recreation.
