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[post_date] => 2024-05-14 11:09:18
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[post_content] => Followers of the alternative medicine in Kyrgyzstan believe that the critically endangered Central Asiatic frog (Rana asiatica) improves immunity and even heals from breast cancer. Doctors warn that such methods of treatment are life threatening. Nevertheless, you will not see the rare amphibian in some regions across the country.
The Osh Bazaar in Bishkek is a place where you can find almost everything: from nails to exotic fruits. Every product has its section. Healing herbs are sold next to dried fruit and nuts. Nearly 15 female sellers of medications hide deep inside the section and it’s not easy to find them. There is nothing special on their counters, at first sight: tea bags, herbs, roots of various plants. Once they hear the question “do you have frogs?”, they take out large boxes from under the counter.
[slider source="media: 63734,63736,63737" limit="100" width="1280" height="960" title="no" autoplay="0" speed="5000"]
Photo: CABAR.asia
One of the sellers, Akmaanai Barpieva, said that she had two species of dried frogs – Central Asiatic and lake frog. She orders them from wholesalers.
“We usually buy them wholesale once a year. We have suppliers from Issyk-Kul and Sokuluk. We used to have suppliers from Naryn, but they supply tiny ones. They said they did not have such species. We order them in May. I buy 400 pieces of each specie. There is also a Chinese frog, but I don’t have it now and it is in small demand anyway. I can sell 20 frogs a week easily. Central Asiatic frog costs 250 som (2.8 dollars) each, lake frog costs 230 som (2.24 dollars). They are usually bought for oncological patients. I am not sure myself, but they say they boost immune system of a human,” Barpieva said.
She has snakes from Tajikistan. In spring, according to the woman, she will have live frogs.
“May is the time of live Central Asiatic frogs. Come then and you’ll see. We keep them in closed boxes. They are in high demand for treatment. They will be more expensive, 400 som (4.47 dollars) each,” she said.
[caption id="attachment_63735" align="aligncenter" width="960"]
A snake from Tajikistan. Photo: CABAR.asia[/caption]
A Central Asiatic frog is on the Red Book of Endangered Species of Kyrgyzstan. This amphibian specie is very rare today. The reason is mass trapping and climate change – air temperature increases every year and some reservoirs, where frogs dwell, get dry, according to Anara Alymkulova, doctor of biological sciences, member of the Academy of Sciences of Kyrgyzstan.
“Last year, we were at the Osh Bazaar and were just enraged when we saw that they sold the rare frog in packs, 200-250 som each. It is priceless!,” Alymkulova said.
According to her, there were about 400 frogs per one hectare in Naryn region 14 years ago, and it was considered critically small. And now, she said, there is a two- or even three-fold decrease in the number of frogs.
[quote class="c"]
“When frogs were not sold on the market, they were not exterminated in such numbers. They have been sold so easily in the last five years,” the biologist said. “It is sold not only in Kyrgyzstan, but also sent to China. And it makes me very sad. When we talked to ecologists from Naryn region, they said there is no critically endangered frog in Kochkor district.”
[/quote]
According to her, the frog inhabits only the eastern part of Issyk-Kul region and partially Chui valley.
[caption id="attachment_63738" align="alignright" width="300"]
Tashbu Zhamilova. Screenshot of the video of her master class on the use of the Central Asiatic frog.[/caption]
Nevertheless, the demand for the Central Asiatic frog is high in the market. Healer Tashbu Zhamilova runs social media accounts and promotes alternative medicine widely. Her video of the master class on the use of Central Asiatic frog has received most views on her account. She believes that the critically endangered frog treats breast cancer.
“This video about frogs was recorded over three years ago. But it is still relevant. Women come to me and ask me to show and teach them. I help them. But now I have a slightly different direction. Now I treat skin conditions and I treat by means of herbs,” she said.
The healer knows that the Central Asiatic frog is a rare species, but it does not bother her.
[quote class="c"]“If the frog treats from cancer and other diseases, why not?” she said. “I know it is very rare, that’s why it heals. We do not use thousands of them, we use it in exceptional cases. I think the nature won’t be damaged much.”[/quote]
Another healer Duishon Chomo uulu, of Kara-Balta, believes it is wrong to think that a frog can treat from oncological diseases. But, according to him, its meat has useful properties, which boost the immune system, and also help deal with pancreatitis.
“I recommend the Central Asiatic frog to those who have problems with the stomach, joints and people with migraine,” the healer said.
According to him, frogs can be dried up, and also used in soup, which helps to cope with migraine.
Don’t believe a single word
Meanwhile, doctors are totally against folk methods of treatment by frogs. Breast physician Sergei Buyuklyanov said that women with advanced cases of breast cancer come to his centre more often.
[caption id="attachment_63739" align="alignright" width="242"]
Sergei Buyuklyanov. Photo: who.ca-news.org[/caption]
“In the last two years, women who come often have stage three or four breast cancer. It is often related to untimely medical check-ups of women. Such patients are often come from regions,” he said.
According to Buyuklyanov, there were cases in his 30 years of work when the reason of the advanced case was alternative medicine.
“Such cases are not rare and it is too bad that it happens now, when people have access to internet and information. Last year, there was a 50-year-old woman from Osh region. She said she drank some roots, and rubbed some herbs into her breast. She believed that it could help her get healed from cancer. She lost the most precious thing, i.e. time. As a result, we had to ablate two breasts in order to save her life,” Buyuklyanov said.
Breast physician called not to go to folk healers.
“Don’t trust a single word – this is what I would tell about such healers. They cripple people. There might be cases when a person heals. But there are single cases and they might be by pure accident. It is life threatening to be treated with frogs. I am unaware if there were any studies on the content of frogs. But in terms of sanitation, no one knows how there were dried, where the frog dwelled. So, only evidence-based medicine and professional advice can help the patient,” the doctor said.
Important for a human and ecosystem
Doctor of biological sciences Anara Alymkulova said that frogs are essential participants of the ecosystem of Kyrgyzstan and their extinction will break the food chain.
[quote class="c"]“Spiders eat frog caviar. Fish and dragonflies eat frog larvae. Birds, snakes and lizards eat frogs,” she said. “If frogs disappear, they will be followed by their predators.”[/quote]
According to her, the mosquito population will grow without frogs. And it means that malaria and other virus diseases can make a serious harm to the people’s health. And the most dangerous thing is when the unique frog becomes extinct, the greenhouse effect will increase.
“If there are too many insects, they eat too much compost and new plants do not have enough nutrients in soil. And it means that more trees will die and more carbon dioxide will be released. But there would be fewer plants that could capture it. And it all will increase the greenhouse effect. We might think what frogs have to do with it. But they are the main factor of control of the number of insects in nature,” Alymkulova said.
Not only the Central Asiatic frog is under the threat of extinction. According to biologist Ilya Domashov, the eastern steppe viper, which lives in the piedmont area in Dzhalal-Abad and Chui region, is also on the brink of extinction due to the increase in the area of croplands and urbanisation.
“Its natural habitat gets destroyed. The last time its population was recorded was in the 1970s. There were 50 snakes per one hectare then. Now the number is lower, I think. Crops are raised and mining operations are carried out in their habitat. It all leads to its migration to other areas. They have nothing to eat, so they become extinct,” Domashov said.
The Central Asian tortoise is also in trouble. It is the only reptile in Kyrgyzstan. It dwells both in the south and in the north of Kyrgyzstan. It can be often seen in the town of Mailuu-Suu, Dzhalal-Abad region.
“According to latest estimates of specialists, there are 46 species per 10 kilometres in Mailuu-Suu. In Naryn region, there are less than 10 species per day. But Chui region has the most critical indicators – 2 species per day,” he said.
“The reason of extinction is also man-made, the habitat gets destroyed due to the increasing area of pastures and farming lands. But the most important thing is smuggling,” Ilya Domashov said.
“Now online stores sell tortoises for 1,000 som (11,17 dollars) each. You can buy it in every pet shop. In 2012-2015, it was massively caught and exported,” the biologist said.
At the end of 2020, by order of the cabinet of ministers of Kyrgyzstan, the fine for illegal hunting of critically endangered species was increased. Now the fine varies from 1 thousand to 1 million som (11 to 11.2 thousand dollars) depending on the specie.
Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic monitors the illegal trade of frogs and tortoises. According to the press service of the agency, they perform scheduled raids on markets and pet shops.
“The fine of 1 to 20 thousand som (11 to 223 dollars) can be charged for selling a Central Asiatic frog in Kyrgyzstan. Last year, we fined over 10 sellers. The fine for selling tortoises is even more – 3 to 30 thousand som (33.5 to 335 dollars), it depends on the age. Last year, two pet shops were fined in Bishkek,” said Aisuluu Isabekova, press secretary of the ministry of natural resources.
[post_title] => Rare Amphibians Disappear in Kyrgyzstan Because of Their Use in Alternative Medicine
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[post_date] => 2024-05-07 09:11:36
[post_date_gmt] => 2024-05-07 03:11:36
[post_content] => According to experts, Kyrgyzstan has a great potential in development of renewable energy sources. However, many issues need to be solved to have this sector function in full.
The practicability of accelerated development of renewable energy sources in Kyrgyzstan is driven by several factors. In particular, by global pledge signed at the climate change conference in Dubai in December 2023. The paper binds the countries to increase renewable energy capacity three times by 2030 in order to reduce the use of fossil fuels.
Another significant factor is the energy crisis in the republic, which has gained momentum in recent years. From summer 2023 to the end of 2026, the country, according to the president’s decree, is in the energy emergency regime. The deficit exceeds three million kilowatt-hours of energy. According to Emilbek Orozbaev, director of Green Energy Fund, authorities focus on renewable energy sources to fill power deficiency.
What does the state do?
In the interview to CABAR.asia, Emilbek Orozbaev said that 12 minor HPPs were put into operation in various areas of Kyrgyzstan in 2023. About 16 such facilities are expected to be put into operation this year. According to him, investors of these plants are citizens of Kyrgyzstan.
The president’s decree simplified the allocation of land plots for installation of RES facilities since March 2023.
“Previously, investor came to our country and applied to local governments in order to receive a land plot, but now the Fund has the so-called one-stop-shop. It provides assistance to investors in receiving permits and land plots for RES facilities,” the official said.
Moreover, according to the order of the cabinet of ministers, a list of goods and equipment exempt from VAT upon importation to the country has been approved. The list is replenished regularly.
According to the law on RES, which has been amended for several years, there is a grace period for energy buyback. It is 15 years for projects based on hydraulic power, and 25 years for wind and solar plants.
“Say, an investor builds a small HPP, puts it into operation, connects it to the system, and starts selling electrical power. And the state is obligated to buy out electrical power from the investor for 15 years,” Orozbaev said.
Director of Green Energy Fund said that authorities of Kyrgyzstan go beyond construction of small HPPs. They plan to develop solar and wind plants.
“We have always had enough water resources and we headed towards hydropower generation at Toktogul HPP. But past experience shows that climate change decreases water availability and we make efforts to have another option,” Orozbaev said.
Thus, a capsule was laid in April last year in Issyk-Kul region for the construction of the solar plant with 300 megawatt capacity. The project is being implemented by the Kyrgyzstan-based company ‘Bishkek Solar” and Russian company ‘Unigreen Energy’. Also, according to Orozbaev, Chinese company ‘China Power’ signed the document for the construction of the solar plant with 1 gigawatt capacity.
Moreover, the ministry of energy of Kyrgyzstan signed an agreement for the construction of a wind farm with the wind power division of ‘Rosatom’ on March 26 at the forum ‘ATOMEXPO-2024’ in Sochi. The facilities are expected to be located in Issyk-Kul region.
According to Orozbaev, similar projects are planned for implementation in other regions. There are potential investors from different countries including South Korea, France, UAE, etc.
According to him, Kyrgyzstan generally has a great potential for development of renewable energy sources and taking the plans into account, “the republic can not only develop the sector, but also fill power deficiency and increase the generation across the country” until 2030.
“A critical factor here is funding of projects. If our domestic investors can build small HPPs, then big plants – wind or solar – require more money. So, we are looking for ways to attract foreign investors,” Orozbaev said.
[caption id="attachment_64332" align="aligncenter" width="2560"]
Illustratie photo by CABAR.asia[/caption]
Low tariffs
RES-generated electricity tariffs remain the point at issue. In March 2024, the parliament passed amendments to the law “On renewable energy sources” in the first reading.
The draft law, particularly, suggests setting the maximum electricity tariff for renewable energy companies instead of the fixed one, which will enable the bidding mechanism. Thus, the maximum price will be 4.42 Kyrgyz som (about five cents) per one kilowatt-hour, which can go down.
There will be monthly adjustment of electricity tariffs for renewable energy companies depending on the national currency rate fluctuations in order to protect investors from losses in case of devaluation.
According to Eleonora Kazakova, chair of the Association of Renewable Energy Sources, it would be difficult to revise the tariffs every month given that the law “On renewable energy sources” does not specify which foreign currency should be recalculated in relation to the national currency.
“Second, invoices issued every month for payment by various renewable energy companies with recalculated tariff and based on the exchange rate of different currencies on the last day of month will create a mess in payment transactions,” Kazakova said.
According to her, it is more reasonable to make adjustments every year given the real cost that has accrued for 12 months and based on fluctuations of the exchange rate, which should be specified by law.
Meanwhile, according to Ilgiz Kambarov, executive director of Green Alliance of Kyrgyzstan, current tariffs are low and there will be no high demand for RES in Kyrgyzstan with such tariffs.
“So, I think we need to think about their increase,” Kambarov said. “It is not only for development of renewable sources, but also for cost-effective generation of electricity.”
[caption id="attachment_64329" align="alignleft" width="287"]
Photo courtesy of Nurzat Abdyrasulova[/caption]
According to Nurzat Abdyrasulova, president of Unison Group, determination of price of any commodity consists of several factors. First, it is the net cost because commodity production requires a certain amount of resources. In particular, it is human labour, infrastructure maintenance costs, taxes and other deductions.
“Electrical power is also a commodity of a certain nature, which we buy to meet our needs and for our convenience. And the price of any commodity must cover at least its net cost, otherwise there is no point in producing it,” Abdyrasulova said.
According to her, it should be explained in detail what the tariff consists of, where and how funds are distributed, and a transparent cost allocation system is needed. In this case, end users will know that every penny they pay affects the overall energy infrastructure and energy security of the country.
Other issues unsolved
Experts agree that Kyrgyzstan has many opportunities for RES development. However, much work needs to be done to make the sector function in full.
Thus, according to Eleonora Kazakova, chair of the Association of Renewable Energy Resources, the issue of water supply for the construction of small HPPs remains unsolved.
“In fact, there is no concept of the “right to water”, which guarantees the investor the water volume necessary for power generation and within the time limits specified in the project. This issue must be clearly spelled out by law given the priority of irrigation regimes,” the expert said.
[caption id="attachment_64330" align="alignright" width="286"]
Photo courtesy of Eleonora Kazakova[/caption]
She added that the next question is what volume of electrical power from renewable sources can Kyrgyzstan afford. According to her, the press issues messages from time to time about another signed memorandum, which provides for construction of renewable energy facilities.
“However, authorities keep on telling about the deterioration of the power system, equipment, etc. Will our power grids handle the amount of electricity, which was specified in memorandums? Probably not, given the current availability and state of grids,” Kazakova said.
Another critical moment is low staff capacity. According to Eleonora Kazakova, the phrase “renewable energy sources” has emerged quite recently, and many power engineers in Kyrgyzstan have been trained in the Soviet times.
“Thus, we have run out of young specialists. And it should be taken into account. Students must have practice during study. They should see how a small HPP looks like now, not in five years. We need power engineers like we need doctors and teachers, so staff must be trained in a quality way,” Kazakova said.
According to the expert, all these issues may not be solved in a snap. However, comprehensive work should not be delayed, while agencies and ministries must have the same vision and unified plans of project implementation.
In turn, Ilgiz Kambarov, executive director of the Green Alliance of Kyrgyzstan, said that they should not rely only on water resources and be limited only to small HPPs.
“I think that the policy of accelerated increase of the number of small HPPs via the One-Stop Shop system is not wrong, but the risks of the lack of water should be considered as well. Budget expenses on the renovation or maintenance of a huge HPP will increase over the years. And it is unknown whether there would be water in 20, 30, 50 years. So, we should not put all eggs in one basket, but we need to develop solar and wind plants, as well,” the expert said.
President of ‘Unison Group’ Nurzat Abdyrasulova indicated that Kyrgyzstan bound itself under the Paris Agreement to reduce emissions by 2030 by taking measures in power industry, agriculture and other spheres of land use, industry and recycling of wastes.
“And this is probably how our foreign policy manifests itself. In other words, we need additional external assistance, donor funds to implement these measures. On the one hand, we need to reduce emissions, and, on the other hand, we need to increase the proportion of renewable energy sources in the energy balance,” Abdyrasulova said.
She also emphasised that demand creates supply, and once there is the global treaty, and the mankind has a task to triple the potential of RES. Particular financial resources, parties concerned, investors and technical specialists will appear then.
“So, we need political will, which, in turn, will be accompanied by economic and market opportunities,” Nurzat said. “I believe Kyrgyzstan needs to be open to the world in this regard, to bring in the best practices as much as possible.”
According to Abdyrasulova, the process of construction of small HPPs, wind or solar plants is quite a labour-intensive one. Usually, all procedures must be followed, including not only a search for funds, but also obtaining approvals, terrain estimation, conclusion of a preliminary contract, tariff fixing, negotiations with the local population, and so on.
“It usually involves a whole team of specialists – lawyers, economists, construction workers, power engineers. The process can take several years sometimes. Of course, we need to build large power facilities and it must be our strategic goal, but we should pay attention to small power plants, too,” the expert said.
According to her, small power plants is an opportunity to engage domestic investors, i.e. citizens of the country.
“Some may have a large land plot, others may have some other opportunities to install a 10-20 kWh plant at their home or on their own site,” she said.
Thus, according to her, residents can improve energy efficiency of their enterprises or houses, and the country will have an opportunity to increase energy independence, improve the environment, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
“Engineering analysis of local grids must be certainly performed and power engineers have a lot of work to do. But if we want to develop RES, we have little time to get started. We need to speed up and solve all issues once they arise,” Abdyrasulova said.
[post_title] => Kyrgyzstan: Unsolved Issues in Renewable Energy Sources
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