ÀAutobiography
Shukurov Emil Japarovich
 |
I was born 19 January 1938 in Frunze (now
Bishkek) to a family of a famous scientist and public figure.
My father Japar Shukurovich Shukurov (1906-1963) stood at
the dawn of education, publishing and science in Kyrgyzstan,
working in his time as a Public Education Commissioner, Director
of Republican Publishing Center and one of the leaders of
Kyrgyz Filial of the USSR Science Academy, which later transformed
to National Science Academy of the Kyrgyz Republic.
My mother Shukurova Nagima Galievna (1911-1981) worked in
sphere of public education and devoted all her life to education
of children. There were 5 children in our family and all of
them received higher education and have become candidates
of science. My sisters Tabyshalieva Lilia Japarovna is a Candidate
of Chemistry, Mambetova Alfia Japarovna – Candidate of Philosophy,
Abdykadyrova Damira Japarovna – Candidate of Medicine and
my brother Shukurov Erkin Japarovich is a Candidate of Technical
Science.
|
In 1955 after finishing Boy’s Secondary School N6 in Frunze I was
admitted to Biology-Soil Department of the Kyrgyz State University,
which I graduated with honors in 1960. In the same year I continued
my education at the Graduate School of Moscow State University,
in the Biology-Soil Department.
By that time my interests in the field of terrestrial vertebrates
zoology have already been formed. Term papers and thesis work carried
out by me were devoted to birds of Son-Kul and spruce forests of
Teskey Ala-Too.
Great influence on formation of my scientific views were made by
lectures of the teaching faculty and personal contacts with many
of them like Corresponding Member, Prof. F.A. Turdakov, Corresponding
Member, Prof. A.I.Yanushevich and such famous scientists of Science
Academy as Academician I.K.Ahunbaev, Academician M.N. Lushikhin,
Corresponding Member, Prof. E.Z. Gareev, Prof. P.A.Ganom and others.
The post graduate years opened up new prospects for my professional
growth. Scientific Supervisor of my doctoral dissertation “Ecologic-Geographical
Analysis of Tyan-Shan Spruce Forests Avifauna” (defended in 1968)
was Prof. Georgy Petrovich Dementyev, the biggest ornithologist
of his time and lecturers were the recognized classics of zoology:
professors B.S. Matveev, V.G.Geptner, N.P. Naumov, A.I. Shilov,
N.A.Gladkov and others.
At that time I have established personal and scientific contacts
with many well-known zoologists that are now the leading professionals
in the field of ornithology and theriology: V.D. Ilichev, V.E. Flint,
G.N. Simkin, R.L.Beme, E.N. Kurochkin, N.V. Kokshaysky, L.S. Stepanyan,
P.P. Vtorov, V.M.Gavrilov, A.A.Kuznetsov, S.M.Uspensky, I.M. Gromov,
I.Y. Polyakov, N.N. Drozdov, V.S. Zaletaev, R.I. Zlotin, M.E. Shumakov
and many others.
After graduation from graduate school I worked as a zoologist at
Kyrgyz Science-Research Institute of Epidemiology, Microbiology
and Hygiene. I took part in the study of leptospirosis focus and
in exploring of the first in Kyrgyzstan natural focus of tick-borne
encephalitis.
Starting from 1965 my academic life was connected with Science
Academy of Kyrgyz Soviet Socialist Republic (now National Science
Academy KR). Here I rose from junior research associate to deputy
director of science of the Biology-Soil Institute, where I currently
work as a Laboratory Chief of terrestrial vertebrates zoology. For
about 10 years I have studied philosophic problems of natural science
at the Institute of Philosophy and Law and taught at the Philosophy
Department of Science Academy.
During the period of my presidency at the Republican Advisory
Board of Young Scientists (1975-1976) I gained valuable organizational
experience. At the Institute of Biology I headed comprehensive studies
of natural ecosystems, organized systematic records of terrestrial
vertebrates in all habitual areas. As one of its leaders I took
part in the work of Central Asian-West Siberian Committee on Bird
Migration Study of Media region (1979-1989), the programme that
has no equal in the world for its scale and results.
Also of great importance was my participation in state programs
on preparing Red Book, Atlas for Kyrgyzstan and space natural resources
inventory, which later led to publication of Red Book of the Kyrgyz
Republic (1987), Red Book of the Kyrgyz Republic (2006), Atlas of
KR (1987) as well as zoogeographical map of Kyrgyzstan (1990) of
1:500000 scale and 10 pages, in which I summed up the materials
of more than 30 years research of terrestrial vertebrates population.
Joint work at expeditions, zoological museums and conferences was
a unique opportunity for me to exchange opinions, scientific and
friendly contacts with the leading zoologists of our country, Central
Asia and foreign countries. Among them I would like to note Prof.
Ai.Ivanov, Prof. A.P. Kuzyakin, Academician A.K.Rustamov, Prof.
Y.S. Ravkin, Academician I.A. Abdusalyamov, Academician T.Z.Zakhidov,
Prof. I.A. Dolgushin, P.M. Butovsky, Prof. O.V. Mitropolsky, Prof.
E.I. Gavrilov and others.
In my doctoral dissertation “Zoogeographical Principles of Terrestrial
Vertebrate Animals Protection and Rational Use in Kyrgyzstan”, which
I defended in 1992, I applied traditional zoogeographical approach
combined with ecosystem approach. This approach was also applied
in implementation of the UNESCO “Comprehensive Environmental Monitoring
of High Mountain System of Central Asia” project, which was led
by me and resulted in publishing of a monograph (1998).
I have more than 300 published scientific works, took an active
part in public works, in foundation of All-Union Ornithological
Society and All-Union Philosophical Society, managed section of
Nature Conservation Society, was a member of Republican Society
“Znanie” (Knoweledge) and a chairman of Book Society and National
Society of Psychologists. At present I am a member of the National
Committee of UNESCO, deputy chairman of National Committee on Human
and Biosphere, member of editorial staff of the Environmental Humanities
Magazine “Central Asia and World Culture”, member of Expert Board
of National Commission for Academic Degrees and Title, Board of
Directors of Central Asian Regional Environmental Center and Social-Environmental
Union. I am also Co-Chairman of Advisory Board under director of
the State Environment and Forestry Agency. In 1988-2005 I have been
Chief of Comprehensive Environment Programme of Frunze.
In 1993 I established and headed one of the first public environmental
organizations in Kyrgyzstan - Environmental Movement of Kyrgyzstan
“Aleine”. As a representative of social movement I was appointed
a coordinator of state projects “Healthy Nation” (1994), National
Environment Plan (1994-95), member of President’s Council on Sustainable
Development Strategy (1997-1998).
In 1996 “Aleine” becomes a member of the biggest international
organization “International Union for the Protection of Nature”(IUPN).
As a Coordinator of IUPN in Kyrgyzstan and representative of Central
Asian sub region, I took part in the 1st and 2nd World Congresses
of this organization (1996 and 2000).
I also established Ornithological Society of Kyrgyzstan, which I
have been leading for many years.
Experience of animal study in ecosystems served as a proof basis
for scientific management of biggest nature protection projects
such as Biosphere Territory of the Kyrgyz Republic (1996), West
Tyan-Shan Biodiversity Conservation (1997), Strategy and Action
Plans on Biodiversity Conservation in Kyrgyz Republic (1998), Specially
Protected Nature Territories in Northern Eurasia: Development Through
Participation: Strategy and Action Plans (1998-2000), GEF Central
Asian Trans Boundary Project (2000-2006), Third National Report
to Convention on Biodiversity (2005-2006).
Drawing is one of my hobbies. Since student years my caricatures
have been published in press. So far collection of environmental
sketches have been issued in Moscow and Cambridge and small exhibitions
of landscapes organized in Moscow, Kiev and Leningrad.
I am married – my wife Shukurova Rimma Gaifievna, a physician -
therapist and anesthesiologist is currently on retirement. Daughter
Shukurova Dina Emilevna works in the UNDP/UNFEM gender project,
son Shukurov Erik Emilevich, post-graduate of the Ecology and Systematic
Institute of Siberian Filial of Russian Science Academy.
E.J. Shukurov
Doctor of Geography, Candidate of Biology, Honored Worker of Science
|
About author ]
[ 
