ENVIRONMENT AND SECURITY In 2009-10 snow accumulation and water formation was normal and higher than normal in the Amu Darya basin. 41
Future rates of glacier retreat are estimated at 0.2-1 per cent a year, similarly to the recent pace of change (Uzbekistan’s SNC, 2008). 42
43 Annual water abstraction from the Zarafshan River is 5 km3, which corresponds to complete use of natural river flow; actual water usage exceeds 5.5 km3 due to the re-use of collector-drainage waters and use of underground waters.
GTZ-assisted feasibility study and environmental assessment have not yet convinced Uzbek authorities to support the proposed hydropower projects.
Certain amendments and revisions to the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On Water and water use” were introduced in 2009 to improve water management in the territory of the WUAs, to ensure the rational and economic use of water and promote water conservation. 55
CDWs in Uzbekistan are increasingly used for irrigation after mixing it with water from natural sources (based on specific recommendations). In February 2010, the Governments of Uzbekistan and Korea signed grant project to develop techniques for salt reduction of collector-drainage water for reuse. 56
44
UNDP project on Integrated Water Management and Water Efficiency Plan for Zarafshan River Basin in Uzbekistan: http://www.undp.uz/en/projects/project.php?id=159 45
Flood up to 1000 m3/sec; Sargazon-Bolo village with 53 houses destroyed, Tajikistan. 57
Reportedly 274 people killed by landslide in the Hissar valley, Tajikistan. 58
For example, the Uzbek and Turkmen authorities have financed the establishment of advanced irrigation systems in selected small farms. Experts point out a recent good practice supported by donors (Switzerland) to implement the SCADA system (supervisory control and data acquisition) in the southern Ferghana Valley districts at the main water intakes, water balance gauging points, control and dispatch systems and monitoring of water distribution. 59
46
The Dusti dam (translated as “Friendship”) on Tijen River.
The 1987 Soviet decision envisaged the following proportions for the Amu Darya basin surface water use by the republics: Kyrgyz SSR – 0.6%, Tajik SSR – 15.4%, Uzbek SSR – 48.1%, Turkmen SSR – 35.8%. 47
48
This is mostly relevant for the Syr Darya basin.
The 1987 Soviet decision stated that 100 m3/sec is considered as the minimum for maintaining the Amu Darya delta and its environment.
Clearly this would require installing and calibrating reliable water measuring devices. 60
49
During an ENVSEC field mission in May 2008, the Amu Darya BWO staff confirmed that “sanitary releases are done only if there is water”. This underlines the fact that the idea of the Aral Sea and Amu delta being a “stakeholder” in the regional water management has remained a declaration of intents. 50
Dynamics of general development indicators in the Aral Sea basin states: http://www.cawater-info.net/analysis/water/asb_dynamics_ en.pdf. Variability of water use per hectare highly depends on the hydrometeorological conditions in the given year (wet, dry) and geographic location. 51
For example in the Khorezm area. Source: State Committee of Nature Protection of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Atlas environment indicators of Uzbekistan, 2008. 52
Another issue having a negative impact on water infrastructure is the question of increasing siltation. Silt in reservoirs (such as Tuyamuyun or Nurek) and canals, if not regularly removed (which needs resources in machinery and funding), is decreasing the lifetime of the affected infrastructure. 53
According to the authors of the study “some turn to animal husbandry, some migrate within the country or to Russia, and others become day labourers or work in the local bazaar. Few seem to migrate, even in the face of great hardship in the area. Villagers report that this is because of the scarcity of alternative opportunities elsewhere, because of strong cultural and family ties to the area, and because most villagers cannot afford the relocation costs” (World Bank, 2003). 54
90
Re-arranging the water conduit and furrow system on field level to reduce distances; laser levelling of uneven fields would be relatively simple means that would help reducing water consumption by 1020% and more. 61
Which was seen as a temporary solution for the countries at that time. 62
For a list of the agreements and declarations see Sievers 2002, notes 125 to 131. 63
While some stakeholders question the existing capacity of IFAS to efficiently advance regional cooperation and concretely build confidence between the countries, it remains the key forum for regional dialogue and umbrella for joint activities. 64
According to the 2005 UNDP Central Asia Human Development Report, the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination was established in 1992 under IFAS to determine water management policy for the region, allocate available water resources for different purposes, determine future water supply programmes and coordinate construction of major works. The commission comprises officials (generally ministers or deputy ministers) from the Ministries of Water and Water Resources Agencies of all the member countries. Under it, the two basin water management organizations take responsibility for allocating water and monitoring water flows in the Amu Darya and Syr Darya Rivers. The Scientific Information Center (SIC) provides support at the interstate level. 65
BWOs were established in the 1980s by the Ministry of Water Economy of the USSR in order to deal with water shortages/low water years and with disputes over water allocations. 66