One Health for Nature and Communities in Central Asia

In response, IUCN is working with national and international partners to build on existing knowledge and capacity, to improve the governance and management of area-based conservation to prevent zoonosis transmission by safeguarding ecosystems, strengthening species management, and improving conservation equity and effectiveness.

Grounded in the One Health approach, One Health in Nature Conservation in Central Asia (1Health4Nature) project integrates environmental, animal, and human health through coordinated, cross-sector collaboration spanning ecology, veterinary science and public health. A core pillar is the application of IUCN’s global standards and tools, particularly the IUCN Green List, and the IUCN Guidance and tool on other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) which guide well-governed, inclusive and effective and protected and conserved areas. The project places a strong emphasis on conservation by diverse actors such as local communities and other private actors. 

Across the five Central Asian countries, partners have initiated field assessments covering 12 protected areas, and around 20 other sites. They have launched coordinated species-monitoring efforts for more than 20 species and taxa, including the Snow leopard, Bukhara deer, Siberian Ibex, Saiga antelope, migratory birds and other. These efforts are strengthening data quality, improving understanding of wildlife population trends and supporting early detection of risks linked to human–wildlife interactions and zoonotic disease emergence. The project will also conduct site level governance evaluations to better understand how to strengthen decision-making at the local level through the involvement of communities and their unique local knowledge. By promoting inclusive governance and regional cooperation, the project is laying the groundwork for a resilient network of protected and conserved areas that delivers benefits for biodiversity, public health and local communities.