Ile-Alatau Journal: Pristine Park Draws Poachers to Central Asia. “Throughout the five nations of Central Asia, a struggle is under way to save
unspoiled ecosystems like this one. There are 32 nature preserves that were
spared the nuclear testing, exploitation of resources and general environmental
insensitivity of the Soviet era.

The new assault comes not from development and growth but from neglect and
desperation bred of poverty. Many people in Central Asia are poor, and
poaching, subsistence ranching and small-scale logging in these fertile enclaves
are matters of survival for many of them…

For the most part, the governments lack the resources to protect these isolated
preserves. Well-intentioned bureaucrats cannot compete with people trying to
find food. Few international organizations are involved, and environmentalists
say assistance is needed badly.” New York Times