Abstract
This article assesses the potential of sustainable ecotourism in the "Kulun-Ata" State Nature Reserve (Kyrgyzstan) as a catalyst for local development. The study aims to explore opportunities and constraints for implementing community-based ecotourism in a remote protected area. Methodologically, it combines household surveys, GIS mapping, functional zoning, and multi-criteria analysis. Results reveal strong community willingness to participate, despite institutional and infrastructural barriers. Based on the findings, a development model is proposed that integrates landscape mosaicism, local stakeholder involvement, and adaptive management principles. The research contributes to the understanding of ecotourism as a tool for promoting socioeconomic resilience in peripheral mountainous regions. The study examines sustainable ecotourism as a lever for inclusive development in Kyrgyzstan’s remote protected areas. Focusing on the Kulun-Ata State Nature Reserve, it identifies opportunities and constraints for community-based ecotourism. It situates the case within sustainable territorial development and community participation frameworks. The aim is to propose a spatially integrated, governance-ready model balancing conservation and local livelihoods. A mixed-methods design combines GIS-based suitability modelling, functional zoning, and field observations. Household surveys (N=197; Konduk and Oy-Tal, July 12–25, 2024) assess perceptions, capacities, and readiness. A 20-item Likert instrument spans ecological, socio-cultural, economic, and institutional-political dimensions. Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis and a Sustainability Barometer synthesize indicators to prioritize development options. Communities show high willingness to participate, with strongest scores in environmental awareness and socio-cultural identity. Institutional trust is weakest, and infrastructure remains inadequate. Spatial analysis reveals a heterogeneous landscape mosaic suitable for phased, low-impact route development outside core zones. Functional zoning delineates strict protection, buffer, regulated ecotourism use, and adjacent interaction belts. Priorities include capacity-building, micro-enterprise support, trained guiding, and minimal-footprint trail infrastructure. The framework aligns visitation with conservation thresholds while enhancing local income diversification and cultural stewardship. Findings position Kulun-Ata as a representative case for integrating secondary, hard-to-reach areas into national strategies. Policy implications stress phased implementation, cross-sector coordination, and monitoring using integrated sustainability indicators.