The walnut forest in Kyrgyzstan the largest of its kind in the world has been slowly fading for years.
It is harmed by overgrazing by animals illegal logging and rising temperatures.
The forest used to be so dense but it thinned out over time said an elderly woman that gathering the nuts for decades.
Walnuts are not just food in Kyrgyzstan.
They are a major economic resource and also a symbol of a region in southwestern Kyrgyzstan.
Its the worlds biggest concentration of walnut forests said a local forester emphasizing the huge variety of walnut tree species that can be found in the area.
For the locals walnuts are their livelihood so the damage is significant.
This is how we make a living we there no other ways only walnuts this is how our children have food said a resident that collecting nuts since childhood.
In the town market men stack sacks full of walnuts while women do the work.
But business has seen better days and crops were severely damaged.
In the early two thousands we managed to gather up to fifteen tons a day.
Today the amount has dropped to three or four tons and it decreases every year said a local seller. The climate is getting hotter and drier each year so the walnuts lose their quality and turn red inside.
Bakers prefer walnuts with white flesh which are more visually appealing.
But long periods of heat harm the nuts.
They fall get scorched in the sun and turn black on the outside.
Average temperatures in Central Asia have risen by about one and a half degrees Celsius since nineteen ninety one twice the global average.
Local residents are trying to address the problem including planting millions of trees in the region.
But a shortage of rainfall in recent years damaged these efforts.
Other human activities also take their toll on the withering forests.
Since there are no grazing fields animals become a problem said a forest ranger.
Herds have grown in number trampling the soil and eating young seedlings.
Illegal logging also worsens the situation as many prefer using wood for heating instead of the more expensive coal.
The ranger issues fines and tries to convince farmers to reduce herd sizes.
Local leaders also called on residents to help preserve the walnut trees.
The ranger believes there is room for cautious optimism and suggests a simple solution if life gives you lemons make lemonade.
He said that if locals produce additional products such as perfumes or oils from the walnuts they could export them and increase their economic value.
Selling at higher prices would motivate locals to protect the forests.
One teenager in the area is already doing this.
He is making oil from those walnut using a traditional press. He wants to improve the number of machines and make other oils such as apricot oil.
He also wants to promote sustainable tourism in the area which he says is not developed enough. When I grow up I will have big plans he promised.