Kyrgyz Republic names high altitude lake The Kyrgyz Republic,
which joined the Convention in 2003, has designated its third
Wetland of International Importance for the Ramsar List. Son-Kol
Lake (36,869 hectares, 41°50'N 75°07'E), part of the Karatal-
Japyryk State Nature Reserve, at 3,000+ meters asl, is the
largest high altitude freshwater lake in central Kyrgyzstan,
valuable both as a stopover point for a high diversity of
migratory birds, such as the Black Stork (Ciconia nigra), as
well as supporting breeding populations of gulls (e.g., Larus
spp), terns (e.g., Sterna hirundo), geese (e.g., Anser indicus),
and grebes (e.g. Podiceps nigricollis). The site also offers
refuge for threatened species like the critically endangered
Great Bustard (Otis tarda) and the vulnerable Saker Falcon
(Falco cherrug). The lake is important for maintaining the
livelihood of pastoralists and is also a popular camping site
for tourists. Historically, the lake was used as a meeting place
for many tribes, and it is archaeological