Kyrgyzstan Plans Unified State Glacier Registry and Stronger Protection

Kyrgyzstan has prepared a draft law aimed at creating a unified state registry of glacier data and strengthening monitoring of the country’s glaciers.

The proposed amendments to the law on hydrometeorological activity would establish a more systematic state policy for protecting glaciers from pollution and shrinking. They would require comprehensive research, analytical assessments of glacier conditions and field expeditions, with the findings used to develop measures to slow degradation.

The authorized body would coordinate glaciological research and collect and organize information from government agencies, scientific institutions and other organizations. The planned registry would include glacier location maps, key morphometric measurements and data on changes in the area covered by ice. Glaciological observations would also be formally included in the definition of environmental monitoring.

The draft’s explanatory note says current legislation lacks a complete mechanism for the state to protect glaciers systematically from pollution and loss. It identifies particular risks in areas with mineral extraction, intensive tourism and transport activity. Developers say the absence of a unified monitoring system has led to uncoordinated action by state bodies and weakened efforts to prevent dangerous glaciological processes.

The proposal would also strengthen cooperation among the Emergency Situations Ministry, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry, local governments and other institutions. The explanatory note says implementation would not require additional spending from the republican budget.