A Forest Out of Time
In the dry continental climate of eastern Uzbekistan, the northern slopes of the Turkestan Range hold a secret ecosystem. Here, in what is now Zaamin National Park, isolated stands of ancient juniper forests cling to the mountainsides. These are old trees; they are living relics. Palynological studies of the region, which analyze ancient pollen preserved in sediment layers, show a different environment during the Holocene climatic optimum. Around 6,000 years ago, a wetter climate allowed for extensive forest cover throughout these mountains. The current arid conditions have left only these isolated patches, primarily on cooler, north-facing slopes that retain more moisture—a remnant of a greener past.
The park itself, established in 1926 as the Guralash Nature Preserve, is the oldest in Uzbekistan and protects these unique ecosystems. The landscape ranges from mountain steppe at lower altitudes (around 1,700 meters) to alpine meadows above the treeline, with the highest point reaching 3,571 meters at Guralash Peak. The forests are dominated by three species of juniper: Juniperus seravschanica, Juniperus semiglobosa, and Juniperus turkestanica. These trees create a unique habitat that supports many species in an otherwise dry region. The park is crisscrossed by several rivers, including the Aldashmansoy, Baikungur, Gurulash, and Kulsoy, which are fed by mountain snowmelt and provide essential water.