| Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve | |
| Iucn Category: | Ia |
| Map: | Kyrgyzstan |
| Relief: | yes |
| Location: | Jalal-Abad Region, Kyrgyzstan |
| Coordinates: | 41.8667°N 130°W |
| Established: | 1959 |
The Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve (Kirghiz; Kyrgyz: Сары-Челек мамлекеттик коругу, Russian: Сары-Челекский государственный заповедник) is located in Aksy District, Jalal-Abad Region in western Kyrgyzstan.[1] Established in 1959, it currently covers 23,868 hectares.[2] In 1978 it was designated as a World Biosphere reserve by UNESCO.[3] The Reserve is located at altitudes from 1200m-4247mm (3,900feet-13,934feetm) above sea level. The name of Sary Chelek translates as "Yellow bucket" from Kyrgyz language.[4]
Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve is approximately 60km (40miles) to the northwest of Tash-Kömür town. The reserve currently occupies 23868ha, including 18080has core area, and 2394ha transition area. Its headquarters are in the village Arkyt.[5]
The comparatively large Lake Sary-Chelek is the main feature of the nature reserve. In the low hills south of Lake Sary-Chelek there are 6 smaller lakes: Kylaaköl, Iyriköl, Bakalyköl, Aramköl, Chöychökköl, and Chachaköl. The river Kojata divides the nature reserve in an eastern and western part.[6]
Average relative humidity is about 60 percent, and annual rainfall is about 817mm at the Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve.