The Protected areas of Kyrgyzstan are regulated by the law on specially protected natural areas of 2 May 2011, last modified on 2 June 2018. In total, they cover and account for 7.38% of the country's total area (as of 2017). The first protected area in Kyrgyzstan (Issyk-Kul) was established in 1948. According to the Government Decree on Priorities of Conservation of Biological Diversity and the relevant Action Plan for 2014-2024 the target area for the protected areas in Kyrgyzstan is 10 percent of the country’s area by 2024.
The protected areas are subdivided into seven categories:
Nature Reserves
The Nature Reserves (, ) are the strictest protected areas, in which little human activity is allowed. As of 2017, there were 10 nature reserves:
Nature Parks
The Nature Parks (, ) are IUCN Category II protected areas. In contrast to the nature reserves, recreational uses are permitted in nature parks. As of 2017, there were 13 nature parks:
Natural Monuments
There are 19 official natural monuments (IUCN Category III) (, ) or hydrogeological reserves (, ) in Kyrgyzstan:
Integrated Reserves
As of 2017, there were 2 integrated or complex reserves:
Botanical Reserves
As of 2017, there were 23 botanical reserves: