On March 10, 2026, the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan received new equipment for the monitoring and patrolling of natural parks. The equipment was handed over as part of the climate adaptation measures within CRM CA.
The kit includes mobile devices for field data collection and information processing systems, which will serve as the technical foundation for launching SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) patrolling in the country. The handover ceremony was attended by Muhibullo Junaidzoda, Director of the Committee’s Center for Investment Projects Implementation, staff from the State Institution for Specially Protected Natural Areas, representatives from GIZ, and Programme Director Sergey Makarov.
The SMART system is being implemented in the transboundary zone of the Zeravshan River Basin to address several critical operational tasks:streamlining field data collection for inspectors, improving the efficiency of patrol groups, and real-time monitoring of threats such as poaching, illegal logging, and wildfires.
With new smartphones, inspectors at the Zarafshan National Park can now track patrol routes, log violations, and document wildlife sightings in real time.
As Sergey Makarov emphasized, the adoption of digital technologies is essential for reaching a new level of biodiversity conservation and ensuring the region’s environmental resilience against climate change. “Our program is not limited to the delivery of hardware. The next vital stage will be a series of specialized training sessions for local foresters and rangers,” Makarov noted.
This training will empower field specialists to effectively use digital tools tailored to Tajikistan’s national legislation, ensuring the long-term protection of the region’s unique ecosystems in the face of changing climate.
