Lake Issyk-Kul is the heart of Kyrgyzstan and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2001. Its water is the "core zone" where Kyrgyz Law No. 115, Article 9 strictly prohibits any polluting activities.

On July 31 - Aug 2, 2026, the UIM F1H2O World Championship plans a Grand Prix on the lake. This is illegal and ecocide.

As an ecologist, I calculated the damage for just 3 days of racing:

1. AIR POLLUTION: 23 boats with 2-stroke 400hp engines will emit 29-43 TONS of CO2. This equals the monthly emissions of 10,000 cars in Cholpon-Ata.

2. WATER POLLUTION: 1.37 TONS of toxic hydrocarbons and oil will enter the water. The risk of spilling 207 liters of oil threatens to poison 207 MILLION liters of water. 1 liter of oil pollutes 1 million liters.

3. NOISE DESTRUCTION: Underwater noise of 180 dB will kill 25 endemic fish species, including the endangered Issyk-Kul trout. This violates the UNESCO Seville Strategy.

We are NOT against tourism or development. We are against DIRTY technology and illegal actions.

UIM has a clean, legal, and modern alternative: the E1 Series with 100% electric raceboats. 0 CO2. 0 oil pollution. It aligns with UNESCO goals.

WE DEMAND:

1. UNESCO MAB Programme: Investigate this breach of the Seville Strategy and pressure the Kyrgyz Government to comply with its obligations.

2. Government of Kyrgyzstan: UPHOLD YOUR OWN LAW. Cancel the F1H2O event and protect the core zone.

3. UIM: Move the race to a non-protected area or switch to the E1 Series. Be a leader in sustainable sport.

Issyk-Kul is not for sale. It is a world heritage. It belongs to our children and to humanity.

Sign now to protect it. #SaveIssykKul

Author: Samat Kushbek, Ecologist, Kyrgyz citizen based in France.