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35-657: The lake is a Ramsar site of globally significant biodiversity and forms part of the Issyk-Kul Biosphere Reserve. Issyk-Kul Lake is 182 kilometres (113 mi) long, up to 60 kilometres (37 mi) wide and its area is 6,236 square kilometres (2,408 sq mi). It is the second-largest mountain lake in the world behind Lake Titicaca in South America . It is at an altitude of 1,607 metres (5,272 ft) and reaches 668 metres (2,192 ft) in depth. About 118 rivers and streams flow into

70-1052: A combination of overfishing , heavy predation by two of the introduced invasive species (the pike perch and the rainbow trout ), and the cessation of lake restocking with juvenile fish from hatcheries . At least four commercially targeted endemic fish species are sufficiently threatened to be included in the Red Book of the Kyrgyz Republic — Schmidt's dace ( Leuciscus schmidti ), Issyk-Kul dace ( Leuciscus bergi ), Ili marinka ( Schizothorax pseudoaksaiensis issykkulensis ), and sheer or naked osman ( Gymnodiptychus dybowskii ). Five other indigenous species — Issyk-kul minnow ( Phoxinus issykkulensis ), Issykul gudgeon ( Gobio gobio latus ), spotted thicklip loach ( Triplophysa strauchii ulachilicus ), grey stone loach ( Triplophysa dorsalis ), asp ( Leuciscus aspius iblioides ) — are almost certainly threatened as bycatch or are indirectly impacted by fishing activity and changes to

105-479: A corruption of "vermin" particularly common to the American East and South-east within the nearby bordering states of the vast Appalachia region. The term describes species which raid farms from without, as opposed to vermin (such as rats) that infest from within, thus referring mainly to predators such as feral dogs , foxes , weasels , and coyotes , sometimes even wolves or rarely bears , but also, to

140-478: A large hexahedral goldpiece. Also found was a bronze cauldron with a level of craftsmanship that is today achieved by using an inert gas environment. In 1916 the monastery at Issyk-Kul was attacked by Kyrgyz rebels, and seven monks were killed. The first nature reserve in Kyrgyzstan, Issyk-Kul State Reserve was established in 1948 to protect unique nature landscapes and waterfowl at Issyk-Kul. In 1975, it

175-664: A lesser degree, herbivores and burrowing animals that directly damage crops and land. Although "varmint/varmit" is not the prevalent usage in Standard Written English , it is a common descriptor for certain kinds of weapons and pest control situations in the Appalachian and nearby states and the American West and South-west which have adopted terms such as varmint rifle and varmint hunting . Any species can develop into vermin if introduced into

210-623: A region where there are favorable living conditions and few natural predators. In such cases, they are seen as an invasive species and humans often choose to fill the role of the predator to limit the danger to the environment. Examples of vermin include goats on the Galápagos Islands , rabbits in Australia or cats on Prince Edward Islands . Rats , mice , and cockroaches are common urban and suburban vermin. Under Tudor "vermin laws", many creatures were seen as competitors for

245-470: Is a searchable database which provides information on each Ramsar site. As of 2016 there are 18 transboundary Ramsar sites, and 15 Ramsar regional initiatives covering regions of the Mediterranean, Asia, Africa, and South America. The Ramsar Convention works closely with six other organisations known as international organization partners (IOPs). These are: These organizations support the work of

280-632: Is near the east tip of the lake and is a good base for excursions into the surrounding area. Its small old core contains an impressive wooden mosque , built without metal nails by the Dungan people and a wooden Orthodox church that was used as a stable during Soviet times. Issyk-Kul Lake was a stopover on the Silk Road , a land route for travelers from the Far East to Europe. The great Chinese Buddhist scholar-monk Xuanzang passed by this lake and noted

315-400: Is widely hated by farmers because of crop depredation. Pigeons , which have been widely introduced in urban environments, are also sometimes considered vermin. Some varieties of snakes and arachnids may also be referred to as vermin. "Vermin" is also used by some people as a term of abuse, either individually or collectively. Varmint or varmit is an American-English colloquialism ,

350-583: The Tian Shan runs parallel to the north shore. The southern slopes of the Kungey Alatau are comparatively short. Therefore, the rivers rising on them are relatively small and do not have a chance to flow together to form larger hydrographic systems. As a result, they separately empty either into Issyk-Kul or into Tüp river flowing along the range. The lake water's salinity is approx. 0.6% – compared to 3.5% salinity of typical seawater – and, although

385-555: The 16th and 17th century, the expression also became used as a derogatory term associated with groups of persons typically plagued by vermin, namely beggars and vagabonds , and more generally the poor . Disease-carrying rodents and insects are the usual case, but the term is also applied to larger animals—especially small predators —typically because they consume resources which humans consider theirs, such as livestock and crops. Birds which eat cereal crops and fruit are an example. The American crow ( Corvus brachyrhynchos ),

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420-694: The COP between its triennial meetings, within the framework of the decisions made by the COP. The contracting parties that are members of the Standing Committee are elected by each meeting of the COP to serve for the three years. The Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP) provides scientific and technical guidance to the Conference of Contracting Parties, the Standing Committee, and the Ramsar Secretariat. The Secretariat carries out

455-478: The analysis of preserved genetic material from seven individuals buried in two cemeteries near Issyk-Kul and determined that the Black Death was present there in 1338 or 1339. The plague first infected people in a small, nearby settlement of traders eight years before it devastated Eurasia, killing 60 percent of the population, having traveled along trade routes. The lake's status as a byway for travelers allowed

490-607: The beach which lead the cold, less heavy water to the top of the lake and often the salty, heavy water below is oddly more warm than the water on the surface. During the Soviet period , the Soviet Navy operated an extensive facility at the lake's east end, where submarine and torpedo technology was evaluated. In March 2008, Kyrgyz newspapers reported that 866 hectares (2,140 acres) around the Karabulan Peninsula on

525-630: The city of Ramsar in Iran , where the convention was signed in 1971. Every three years, representatives of the contracting parties meet as the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP), the policy-making organ of the convention which adopts decisions (site designations, resolutions and recommendations) to administer the work of the convention and improve the way in which the parties are able to implement its objectives. In 2022, COP14

560-490: The convention by providing expert technical advice, helping implement field studies, and providing financial support. The IOPs also participate regularly as observers in all meetings of the conference of the parties and as full members of the Scientific and Technical Review Panel. The convention collaborates with a network of partners: This is the convention's governing body consisting of all governments that have ratified

595-694: The day-to-day coordination of the convention's activities. It is based at the headquarters of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Gland, Switzerland. The implementation of the Ramsar Convention is a continuing partnership between the Conference of Contracting Parties, the Standing Committee, and the Secretariat, with the advice of the subsidiary expert body, the Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP), and

630-636: The details in the classic travelogue Great Tang Records on the Western Regions in the 7th century. The lake was once a part of the territory of Qing Dynasty of China and was ceded to Russia – along with the surrounding territory – after the Treaty of Tarbagatai . Many historians believe that the lake was the point of origin for the Black Death that plagued Europe and Asia during the early and mid-14th century. In 2022, researchers reported on

665-553: The domestic response to this treaty is often half-hearted and inadequate. By way of example, Germany joined the Convention in 1976 and has, "[as of 2022], failed to give effect to the Ramsar Convention in the manner set out by the constitution of Germany." Vermin Vermin ( colloquially varmint(s) or varmit(s) ) are pests or nuisance animals that spread diseases and destroy crops , livestock , and property . Since

700-643: The ecological structure and balance of the lake's fish population. Sevan trout , a fish endemic to Lake Sevan in Armenia , was introduced into Issyk-Kul in the 1970s. While this fish is an endangered species in its native waters, it has a much better chance to survive in Lake Issyk-Kul where it has actively predated on other species, but is limited in habitat for reproduction and in food. The lake supports large numbers of wintering waterfowl as well as waders and passerines on passage migration . Both

735-464: The facility. Towns and some villages around the lake, listed clockwise from the lake's western tip: Ramsar Convention The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of Ramsar sites ( wetlands ). It is also known as the Convention on Wetlands . It is named after

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770-518: The lake ; the largest are the Jyrgalang and Tüp . It is fed by springs, including many hot springs and snow melt. The lake has no current outlet, but some hydrologists hypothesize that the lake's water filters deep underground into the Chu River . The bottom of the lake contains the mineral monohydrocalcite : one of the few known lacustrine deposits. The lake's southern shore is dominated by

805-541: The lake level is still currently some 8 metres (26 ft) higher than in medieval times, its level now drops by approximately 5 centimetres (2.0 in) per year due to water diversion. Administratively, the lake and the adjacent land are within Issyk-Kul Region of Kyrgyzstan. During the Soviet era, the lake became a popular vacation resort, with numerous sanitoria , boarding houses and vacation homes along its northern shore, many concentrated in and around

840-567: The lake would be leased for an indefinite period to the Russian Navy , which is planning to establish new naval testing facilities as part of the 2007 bilateral Agreement on Friendship, Cooperation, Mutual Help, and Protection of Secret Materials. The Russian military will pay $ 4.5 million annually to lease the area. India also plans to invest in the facility to test all types of torpedoes such as heavy weight torpedoes and those that have thermal navigation system. Another advantage that works for

875-419: The plague to spread across these continents via medieval merchants who unknowingly carried infested vermin along with them. The lake level is some 8 metres (26 ft) higher than in medieval times. Divers have found the remains of submerged settlements in shallow areas around the lake. Articles identified as the world's oldest extant coins were found underwater, with gold wire rings used as small change and

910-459: The ruggedly beautiful Teskey Ala-Too Range of the Tian Shan mountains. The northern slopes of the range are long and send a considerable flow to Issyk-Kul. Numerous streams taking their rise at the slopes flow together into comparatively large rivers. They deeply dissect the range and flow in wide valleys. On exit from mountains the rivers form large alluvial cones. In eastern part of Issyk-Kul they flow into Jyrgalang river. The Kungey Alatau of

945-429: The support of the international organization partners (IOPs). Musonda Mumba is the seventh secretary general of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. 2 February is World Wetlands Day, marking the convention's adoption on 2 February 1971. Established to raise awareness about the value of wetlands for humanity and the planet, WWD was celebrated for the first time in 1997, and has grown since then. In 2015 World Wetlands Day

980-590: The term is defined in relation to human activities, which species are included vary by region and enterprise. The term derives from the Latin vermis ( worm ), and was originally used for the worm-like larvae of certain insects , many of which infest foodstuffs. The term varmint (and vermint ) has been found in sources from c. 1530–1540s. The term "vermin" is used to refer to a wide scope of organisms, including rodents (such as rats ), cockroaches , termites , bed bugs , stoats , sables . Historically, in

1015-400: The testing center is that the torpedoes fired can also be recovered allowing scientists to make physical verification of a torpedo structure for further study. India is also planning to use the torpedo test facility to test the autonomous underwater vehicle being developed by NSTL . For this, India has proposed to engage local companies with know-how in torpedo technology to further co-develop

1050-526: The town of Cholpon-Ata . These fell on hard times after the break-up of the USSR, but now hotel complexes are being refurbished and simple private bed-and-breakfast rentals are being established for a new generation of health and leisure visitors. The city of Karakol (formerly Przhevalsk, after the Russian explorer Przhevalsky , who died there) is the administrative seat of Issyk-Kul Region of Kyrgyzstan. It

1085-410: The treaty. This ultimate authority reviews progress under the convention, identifies new priorities, and sets work plans for members. The COP can also make amendments to the convention, create expert advisory bodies, review progress reports by member nations, and collaborate with other international organizations and agreements. The Standing Committee is the intersessional executive body which represents

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1120-563: The western and eastern ends of the lake have been recognised as Important Bird Areas (IBAs) by BirdLife International . There is a small lake below the water level of Issyk Kul at the south-west side of the lake. This lake is called Tyz köl (salt lake) in Kyrgyz due to its very high saline content and swimming in the Issyk Kul salt lake is a very different experience from less salty water. The lake receives its water from small cold springs at

1155-416: Was acknowledged as a Ramsar site . Biosphere Reserve Issyk-Kul covered by UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves was established in year 2000 within the administrative borders of Issyk-Kul Region . The lake contains highly endemic fish biodiversity, and some of the species, including four endemics, are seriously endangered. In recent years yields of all fish species have declined markedly, due to

1190-747: Was celebrated in 59 countries. The convention was co-founded by Eskandar Firouz (former environment minister of Iran), Luc Hoffmann of Tour du Valat research station in the Camargue in France, and Geoffrey Matthews of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge in the late 1960s. The conference, which adopted the terms of the agreement, was held in the Iranian Caspian Sea resort of Ramsar on 2 February 1971. The convention turned 50 in 2021. Despite its quasi-universal application,

1225-654: Was co-held in Wuhan, China, and Geneva, Switzerland. The list of wetlands of international importance included 2,331 Ramsar sites in May 2018 covering over 2.1 million square kilometres (810,000 sq mi). The countries with most sites are the United Kingdom with 175 and Mexico with 142. The country with the largest surface area of listed wetland is Bolivia, with around 148,000 square kilometres (57,000 sq mi). The Ramsar Sites Information Service (RSIS)

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