Use of Medicinal Springs as an Ecotourism Object in the Conservation of Biodiversity in Uzbekistan (On the Example of Namangan Region)

Under the market system, attitudes towards natural resources and their use in the economy have changed. In order to protect natural resources (especially medicinal springs) and increase management efficiency, it is necessary to review and reform the mechanism of targeted use of ecotourism activities in them. This should take into account not only the economic benefits, but also the consequences of additional use of environmental resources. Therefore, a register of large medicinal springs in Namangan region was conducted, which allows to study the conditions of formation and development of natural objects. Based on the information obtained, recommendations for their future use have been developed.

The problem of using the natural resources of the healing spring in the field of tourism is one of the least studied problems in the local school of tourism. This is because the use of natural resources has been developed as an economic direction (ecological economy) and the specialization of research has been carried out on the types of “extensive” use of natural resources. Therefore, the use of medicinal natural resources has not been given enough attention and has not been given enough attention in scientific studies. The object of research is the natural resources of Namangan region, which are healing springs. The description of the peculiarities of the use of natural resources of medicinal springs was carried out on the basis of hydrological, landscape, economic and ecological research of Namangan region. The database of the State Committee for Nature Protection of Namangan region was used as a database in the recording. When we start our research work primarily by studying and analysing the work of foreign scientists, in particular, on nature conservation and tourism development [1-7]. Our research was conducted by local authors of ecology and environmental protection and others, in the field of environmental protection and use of natural resources and others based their works in the field of ecology [8-14]. The basis of our article is such concepts as "rational use of natural resources", "increasing the economic efficiency of the use of medicinal springs for ecotourism purposes." After reviewing the works of the above authorship, the issues of the state of use of natural resources were analysed. In particular, I. Xotamov, M. According to Sultanov, A. Yadgarov, we have our own understanding of the use of natural resources. Healing springs were also seen as a targeted use of healing springs to meet the needs of society through the development of ecotourism from existing facilities. This determines the economic efficiency derived from economic activity in the healing springs of the region. Today, ecotourism is one of the most demanding areas of tourist destinations. Ecotourism (nature tourism, green tourism) is a form of sustainable tourism aimed at visiting natural areas that are not affected by anthropogenic impacts. In the West, the term “ecotourism” was officially used in one of the conferences by Mexican ecologist Seballos-Lascurain in the first half of the 1980s. It reflected the idea of harmony between recreation and ecology and gained great popularity. One of the variants of this definition is ecotourism - an active form of recreation based on the rational use of natural resources. This includes convenience, mass communication, the availability and refusal to consume more and more tourist preferences (e.g., unlike tourist realism, which implies a high level of comfort and immersion in nature and culture), in return for which one thinks about nature, communicates with it. Incorporates other value systems such as spiritual enrichment, participation in the conservation of natural heritage, and support for the traditional culture of local communities [15,16]. In the context of modernization of the country's economy towards a green economy, each entity of Namangan region is interested in the maximum development of regional governance, so it is advisable to use the existing springs in the socio-economic development of Namangan region.      

Study area

The study area (Namangan region) is located in the northern part of the Fergana Valley, on the right bank of the Syrdarya. The area of the area is 7900 km². It is bordered by Tashkent region in the west (connected to the Kamchik Pass), Sogd region of the Republic of Tajikistan in the south-west, Andijan region in the east, and Fergana region in the south. The climate is continental, the summers are dry, and the winters are mild and humid. Silk and textile, footwear and cotton processing are developed in the region. The main agricultural products of the region are wine, cotton, fruit and silk. The Uzbek national knives factory in Chust is notable for its handicrafts. Chust soup, knives and skullcaps are very popular among tourists.

Data collection and processing

Research methods were general: economic-mathematical, statistical, cartographic, systematic and comparative analysis. Inventory of medicinal springs in Namangan region allowed to study the conditions of formation and development of natural objects. Based on the results obtained, a forecast of their future use was calculated, which could be the basis for the development of tourist routes in the development of ecotourism in the rational use of natural resources and the protection of healing springs. Data were collected for 10 months of 2019 based on scientific research. In the course of the research, a table covering the study area was prepared.

Following the research on the use of existing springs for ecotourism purposes in foreign scientific research, it would be appropriate to quote the following scientists: Attractions in natural areas provide unique features of natural elements and encourage tourists to visit this place. The growing focus on health and well-being around the world has boosted attention to the infrastructure of hot springs facilities, which has created another attraction in the tourism industry [17,18]. Such natural areas are present in every district of Namangan region. In particular, Chartak mineral water, Chust Bibiona spring, Kosonsoy, Uchkurgan mineral waters are the most popular natural mineral waters. Balneotherapy (treatment of physical ailments by bathing in natural mineral waters) is carried out in the hot springs of Mingbulak (Mysterious spring). At the peak of demand, the capacity of the existing institution is growing from year to year. The above data show that the existing springs in Namangan region have been identified for use in the creation of ecotourism routes at existing facilities. The number of officially researched springs in the region is 31. Although the healing springs of the region are used as recreational and therapeutic, but the use of ecotourism as an auxiliary route of the greatest practical interest for eco-tourists is not established. In terms of price, this natural resource is considered low, but its market value is high, which provides good economic benefits. In the last two years in each district of the region (Chartak, Chust, Kosonsoy, Mingbulak, Namangan, Naryn (Uzbekistan), Pop, Turakurgan, Uchkurgan, Uychi, Yangikurgan, Davlatabad districts) existing facilities of natural resource have been renovated (Table 1) (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Map of Namangan region.

However, Namangan region is able to develop the ecological direction of tourism. The organization and development of ecotourism routes in these areas is economically viable. Systematic analysis of the methods used to effectively use the tourism potential of our region will help to target the management of aquatic ecosystems. Research was conducted in 11 protected areas of Namangan region. Many healing springs of Namangan region have unique properties. Such springs in Namangan region are unique. Among the most popular healing springs is Lake Balikli in Chartak district (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Chartaq district Balikli lake spring.

Table 1: Medicinal springs with large types of balneological resources in Namangan region.

"Shaxand", "Nihol" sanatorium, Imam ota spring. The micronutrients present in mineral water, especially in drinking mineral waters, often determine their balneological and therapeutic value. In our opinion, the expansion of investments in the sector will serve to increase the economic and environmental well-being of Namangan region by creating a system of useful recreation in the region.

The problem of using the natural resources of the healing spring is one of the less studied problems in the local tourism school. This is because the use of natural resources has been developed as an economic direction (environmental economics) and the specialization of research has been carried out on the types of “network” use of natural resources. Therefore, the use of natural resources of the healing spring has not been given enough attention and has not been taken into account in scientific studies. This can be the basis for the development of new tourist routes in the rational use of nature and protection of the environment. The results will also allow expanding the use of regional nature, targeted use in the development of ecotourism and attracting businesses to invest.

Currently, the regional policy of Namangan region pays more attention to the management of natural resources of medicinal springs. It would be expedient for the country to be included in a modern state strategy for the conservation of natural resources, wildlife and biodiversity in the region. Based on the results of the statistical analysis of the use of natural resources of medicinal springs described in this article, the provincial government is recommended to develop a regional target program, including a complete inventory to assess and register the biological level of springs in the region. It is necessary to attract small and medium-sized businesses to invest in more efficient use of the region's natural resources and to develop economic incentives for the economic use of biological resources in the region. Based on the information obtained, it will be possible to implement measures aimed at preserving the healing springs. We propose to change a number of measures in the design and development of Namangan region, the use of administrative, economic and market methods in the use of medicinal springs in the region. Within the framework of the regional program of tourism development, it is necessary to expand the use of balneological resources of regional springs for ecotourism purposes, in addition to medical treatment. In our opinion, the implementation of the proposed recommendations will serve to replenish its revenues to the regional budget. It allows us to expand our understanding of the directions and possible effectiveness of the management of biological resources of medicinal spring ecosystems of Namangan region.

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