Mount Uch Enmek is traditionally called the ‘navel’ of the Earth. The earth is believed to receive vital energy and knowledge through this navel in the same way as a foetus receives nourishment in the mother’s womb. The natural peculiarity of the Karakol valley surrounding Mount Uch Enmek, bordering the Golden Mountains of Altai, lies in its geographical formation. The region harbours many endemic red list species, such as the black stork, the Maral Root and the Snow Leopard.

The Karakol valley as a system of sacred sites is currently threatened by an oil pipeline under construction. Several sacred sites are directly endangered as well as red listed species such as the snow leopard. Other threats include changes in land law, land tenure and natural resource policies, increasing unregulated local and international tourism and destruction of sacred sites by development, theft and archaeology. UNESCO has supported missions into the Man and Biosphere reserve and local NGOs are pushing the recognition of the greater karakul Valley as a World Heritage site based on both natural and cultural criteria, the process receives little support from the current government.

To protect sacred sites and to curb the sources impacting on them The Uch Enmek Indigenous Initiative has founded a Park named after mount Uch Enmek as a response to the threats facing the Sacred Valley and the indigenous culture described below. The local spiritual leaders now give tours to educate tourists and to ensure that they behave according to the rules demanded by the sacred natural sites in the region. Components of the excursion include a ‘Kai’ throat singing performance, visits to rock art sites, kurgans, places of ritual and a traditional Altai meal. Read More.