8 March 2011: The Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Secretariat) has reported that the Government of Kyrgyz Republic has designated its third Wetland of International Importance for the Ramsar List.

The site, Son-Kol Lake, is part of the Karatal-Japyryk State Nature Reserve, and is the largest high-altitude freshwater lake in central Kyrgyzstan. The lake is a stopover point for a high diversity of migratory birds; supports breeding populations of gulls, terns, geese and grebes; and offers refuge for threatened species. The lake is important for maintaining the livelihood of pastoralists and is also a popular camping site for tourists. [Ramsar Press Release]