In order to overcome the ecological crisis and improve the socio-economic situation in a swimming pool Aral Sea, recognized by the world community as one of the largest disasters of the 20th century, Heads of State Central Asia in 1993 created the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS). In October 2002 in. Dushanbe The Heads of the Central Asian states decided to develop a new program within the framework of IFAS, approved its main directions and instructed the Executive Committee of IFAS together with ICWC and ICSD to in agreement with the Government of the founding states, develop a “Program of specific actions to improve environmental and socio-economic situation in the Aral Sea basin for the period 2003-2010.
The countries of Central Asia, having ancient cultural and economic ties, occupy
space with common features of the natural environment. Its nature is formed by the highest mountain ranges of
the Pamirs and
Tien Shan, vast deserts and steppes, large Asian rivers Amu Darya, Syr Darya and endorheic reservoirs -
the largest of which are the Caspian and Aral Seas.
The region is rich in natural and energy resources: oil, coal, gas, uranium, gold
etc. The modern market economy of countries is on the rise. Growth is observed in the agro-industrial,
transport, mining and other industrial complexes.
The countries of Central Asia are located in a single ecological space of the Aral Sea
basin
seas. Ecosystems of the region are very sensitive to anthropogenic impacts due to arid conditions.
An extensive way of doing business and a significant population growth contributed to
the emergence of numerous regional environmental and socio-economic problems, including
catastrophes on a planetary scale - the tragedy of the Aral Sea. The dependence of the development of the
region on water and
land resources can be traced from time immemorial. Agriculture has always been the basis of life here.
cattle breeding, and water is the main limiting factor.
From 1960 to 1990, large-scale programs for the development of new lands were carried out in the Aral Sea
basin, in
as a result of which the area of irrigated land and the volume of water withdrawal doubled. As a result, the
flow of water into
The Aral Sea has sharply decreased, by 2002 the water level in the sea has dropped by more than 21 m, and the
water area
surface area has more than tripled.
Economic losses associated with climate change, hydrochemical characteristics
water bodies, the reduction of fisheries in the Aral Sea, the degradation of more than 4 million hectares of
land and the loss
biodiversity in the region amount to several billion dollars a year.
The consequences affected the standard of living and health of more than 5 million people living in the delta
Amu Darya and Syr Darya. The first victims of the ecological crisis were the most vulnerable segments of the
population: children,
women, poor residents of the Aral Sea region.
One of the main activities of IFAS was bringing to the attention
information about the catastrophic situation of the Aral Sea and the organization
financing of socio-economic and environmental programs in the region.
In January 1994, the heads of the Central Asian states approved the “Program of Concrete Actions to Improve
environmental situation in the Aral Sea basin for the next 3-5 years, taking into account the socio-economic
development of the region (main directions)” (ASBP-1).In its preparation, in addition to specialists and
scientists from countries
Central Asia, actively participated, UNDP, UNEP, World Bank, GEF, EBRD, ADB, TACIS, German
KFV Foundation, Kuwait ERA Foundation, USAID, etc.
The main objectives of this Program were determined:
• Stabilization of the state of the environment in the Aral Sea basin;
• Restoration of the disturbed ecology of the Aral Sea region;
• Improving water and land management methods
swimming pool;
• Creation of management structures at all levels for planning and
implementation
activities of the Program.
After completing the bulk of the work of the preparatory phase, in 1997 the countries
Central Asia and the main international organizations financing this Program held a joint
reviewed its status and offered recommendations for the implementation of the second phase of the program:
• in order to receive unconditional support from the countries of
Central Asia
focus on the implementation of projects that give quick returns;
• highlight the most visible practical results of projects;
• develop a coherent policy and action program at the level
states and the region in the field of water and natural resource management, setting a goal to reduce the
volume
water withdrawal from the Amudarya and Syrdarya by 15 percent;
• intensify work with the public and the population, create conditions
for
contributing to the improvement of policies in this area.
At the same time, the analysis of the implementation of the Program indicates that the
main
limiting factor
failure to implement a number of programs and projects in full is not only the lack of their funding, but
weak level of intersectoral coordination and insufficient control by the executive bodies of IFAS over
project implementation.
Tajikistan has adopted and is implementing a medium-term program for overcoming the crisis
agro-industrial complex of the Republic of Tajikistan and priority areas of the strategy for the development
of its industries
for the period up to 2005, the State Ecological Program of the Republic of Tajikistan until 2006, the National
Action Program to Combat Desertification, Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan for Public Health Protection
until 2005, the National Program "Clean Water and Sanitation of Tajikistan", the State Environmental
Program, National Disaster and Emergency Risk Reduction Program, program
"Youth of Tajikistan" Cotton Growing Development Program in the Republic of Tajikistan for 2002-2005, EBRD
Strategy for
Tajikistan for 2003 - 2005, National Action Plan of the Republic of Tajikistan on Mitigation
climate change.
Uzbekistan has adopted and is implementing the National Strategy for Sustainable
Development of the Republic
Uzbekistan, State Tourism Development Program, National Environmental Health Action Plan
(NEHAP), Environmental Action Program, Aral Sea Program (World
Bank/UNDP/UNEP), National Strategy and Action Plan of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Biodiversity Conservation,
Subregional Action Plan to Combat Desertification in the Aral Sea Basin (SRAPCD), UNDP Program
and the Government of Uzbekistan on the environment, the National Training Program and many others
national programs and projects.
Research continues under the INTAS-RFBR project "Assessment of the socio-economic consequences of
environmental
disasters - drying up of the Aral Sea". The factors that caused the degradation of natural
complex of the Aral Sea region. The categories of social, economic damage, as well as direct and indirect
damages. A preliminary calculation of losses and their assessment was made. Based on the results achieved, the
tender was won
(together with the Dutch firm Resource Analysis) under the NATO Science for Peace program and work has begun
on
the project "Integrated Water Resources Management for Creation of Wetlands in the Amudarya Delta".
The problem of water in Central Asia is a key one and is getting worse every year. Special
place in
it, occupy the socio-economic and environmental consequences in the Aral region. Differences in seasonal
the needs of water and energy resources, as well as their unbalanced distribution, create conflict
prerequisites and can significantly affect the economy of the Central Asian countries.
Despite the decline in water withdrawal in the late 90s, the level of efficient use of water resources
insufficient and largely complicated by an imperfect water management system.
In order to solve the identified problems in the Aral Sea basin, a
a number of regional and national programs and projects are being implemented, covering a wide range of areas
in
areas of rational use of water resources and environmental protection:
• “Basic Provisions of National and Regional Management Strategies
water resources”;
• "Management of water and land resources" (EU TACIS);
• "Management of water resources and the environment in the Aral Sea
sea" (GEF);
• "Rational and efficient use of water and energy
resources in Central Asia SPECA” (UNECE);
• “Improving Natural Resource Management in the CAR” (USAID);
• "Clean Water and Sanitation";
• “Restoration of wetlands in the delta of the river. Amu Darya";
• "Creation of a system for predicting the flow of melt water for the
rivers of the basin
Aral Sea USAID;
•"Regulation of the bed of the Syrdarya River and the northern part of
the Aral Sea
SYNAS"(WB);
The current state of mountain ecosystems is characterized by a complex complex social and economic problems, the principle of excessive nature management prevails, even in the sparsely populated areas of the Northern Tien Shan sustainable deterioration of mountain forest ecosystems. One of the most serious tasks is the need to preserve water resources in the zones of formation and restoration of runoff in mountain ecosystems. It is they, together with water basins and the glaciosphere, represent a single ecological system of the region. And undoubtedly,milestone in the field of conservation mountain ecosystems is the developed strategy for "Regional cooperation in the field of sustainable development of mountain territories in Central Asia” (ABRD), the main priority of which is the organization and coordination of complex studies of mountain territories in the monitoring mode.
The problem of land degradation is caused by both natural and climatic factors and
anthropogenic activities. A significant part of the land resources of the region is subject to desertification
processes
and is associated with the change and loss of vegetation cover, sand deflation, water and wind erosion,
salinization of soils, pollution of soil and water by industrial, household waste, pesticides, etc. These
factors in
aggregates lead to a change in the function of soils, reducing their natural and economic significance.
National and regional programs are being developed in the Central Asian region,
aimed at combating desertification:
• "Map of anthropogenic desertification of the Aral Sea basin" (1:
250000);
• "Management of natural resources with the participation of the local
population";
• “Supporting the national program to combat desertification of private
agriculture in Takhta (Dashoguz).
Most of the region as a result of anthropogenic pressures (deforestation, lack of water
resources, irrigation, plowing the steppes, etc.), has changed dramatically. Reducing the number of plant and
fauna, the almost complete disappearance of the tugai forests of the Aral Sea region - this is not a complete
list of these changes.
The development and current state of the legislative framework for the protection of wildlife should be
recognized as insufficient.
This is due to the lack of a scientifically based scheme of environmental standards that is unified for the
entire region.
In this direction, the region is developing the project “Development of the Econet as a Basis for Long-term
conservation of ecosystems in Central Asia”. The tasks of which include the development of an eco-regional
development scheme
specially protected natural areas (PAs) in the countries of Central Asia.
Regional and national conservation projects are underway
biodiversity and
expansion of protected areas:
• "Conservation of the biological diversity of the Western Tien Shan"
(GEF);
• “Integrated conservation of priority wetlands as places
Migratory Bird Habitat (GEF);
• “Preservation of the saiga and its habitat along migration routes,
places
wintering and summering” (GEF);
• "Conservation and restoration of the Bukhara deer" (WWF);
• “Conservation of Globally Significant Wetlands and Migratory
corridors needed for Siberian Crane and other globally important migratory waterfowl in Asia”
(ICF, UNEP);
• "In-situ conservation of mountain agrobiodiversity" (GEF).
The post-Soviet period in the countries of Central Asia was characterized by a deep economic
and
environmental crisis, the continuing deterioration of important social indicators. Among the most pronounced
problems are poverty (especially in rural areas), population growth, high levels of
morbidity and unemployment, there has been an alarming trend towards a reduction in life expectancy.
Poverty is a problem hindering the development of the countries of the Aral Sea basin. In 1999 over 40%
population of Central Asia was below the poverty line.The governments of the countries are taking actions to
increase the income of the population, agricultural
reform, a program of employment and job creation, development of rural infrastructure is being implemented.
Formed
conditions for the accelerated development of small and medium-sized businesses (Uzbekistan, Tajikistan,
Kazakhstan), are being implemented
Programs and Strategies to Combat Poverty and Unemployment (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
Uzbekistan).Since January 1993, the population of Turkmenistan has been provided free of charge with natural
gas, water,
electricity - salt, fares in urban passenger transport remain low and unchanged,
prices for utilities - payment for housing, heating and sewerage.
A common phenomenon for most countries can be called a low level of social protection
vulnerable groups of the population and the continuing difficult situation in the labor market of women,
youth, pensioners and
pre-retirement age. Women among job seekers assisted by employment services, end of 2002
amounted to 53% in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, 60-64% - in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Share of young
of unemployed people (under the age of 29-30) in 1999 ranged from 30-36% in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, to
60-62% - in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
The environmental problem of the Aral Sea has caused a deterioration in people's health due
to
pollution of water and air, insufficient sources of water supply, low level of sanitation, this problem
it is especially acute in the Aral Sea region and adjacent areas. At the epicenter of an ecological disaster,
one of
the highest rates in the CIS of child and maternal mortality, a decrease in the average
life expectancy, incidence of tuberculosis; anemia, thyroid dysfunction,
kidney and liver disease. Progression of blood diseases, cancers, asthma and heart
deficiency, traces of pesticides were found in the breast milk of women. All this leads to the destruction of
the gene pool.
The situation is aggravated by the lack of preventive medical measures,
monitoring of morbidity in the Aral Sea region and the inaccessibility of vital medicines.
At the Dushanbe meeting of the Heads of State, the "Main Directions of the Program
specific actions to improve the environmental and socio-economic situation in the Aral Sea basin
for the period 2003-2010". Below are suggestions for priorities.
The purpose of the priority is to develop a package of agreements to regulate issues joint use and protection of water resources, taking into account the socio-economic development of the region, providing measures to improve the stability and reliability of the work of interstate water control facilities. Specific activities in this area orient the countries of Central Asia towards joint activities, based on common approaches, effective methods and mechanisms. This implies the establishment of intersectoral connections, common goals, spheres and interests, search for compromises and establishment of consensus.
The goal of the priority is: restoration of irrigation and drainage systems. In this priority, projects are provided aimed at technical improvement and reconstruction irrigation and collector-drainage systems of regional importance, ensuring the safety of dams and reservoirs, as well as carrying out special work to study the safety of the junction of the right bank Sarez Lake and increasing the volumes of the Kairakkum reservoir,a complex of agro- and water-reclamation measures to improve the efficiency of the use of water and land resources will be worked out in priority "Improving the use of water and land resources and increasing their productivity." Alternative tasks for regulating the water flow of the Syrdarya River, which have regional significance, it is supposed to be worked out in two projects: “Rehabilitation of irrigation facilities of the interstate values in the Aral Sea Basin” and “Development of measures for the modernization and restoration efficiency and operational reliability of drainage systems in the BAM countries”.
The purpose of this priority is to improve environmental monitoring systems
for a more complete and high-quality acquisition of information about the environment and more efficient use
regional opportunities for solving water management, environmental and socio-economic issues in
the Aral Sea basin. Why is it necessary:
• Establishment of a Regional Data Bank on Water Resources, in order to
runoff forecasting;
• Development of a monitoring system for transboundary waters in the Aral
Sea Basin
seas;
• Improving the monitoring system of snow and ice resources in the region;
• Development of a regional model of climate change and the impact of
these
changes in the state of water resources in the Aral Sea basin.
The goal of the priority is to prevent water and wind erosion; conducting bank protection measures; restoration of the forest fund in the zone of runoff formation and in the Aral Sea region; and carrying out flood control, adjustment and other works related to the prevention and liquidation consequences of natural disasters. The Central Asian republics are subject to the active impact of various hazardous natural phenomena, the number which has increased dramatically in recent years. As a result, countries suffer significant material damage and human sacrifice. Development of measures to prevent, eliminate, reduce damage and reduce human loss of life, the adoption of preventive and adaptive measures will help reduce the impact of natural disasters.
The goal of the priority is to improve the socio-ecological situation in the region for
creation of normal living conditions for the population living in the Aral Sea basin. Why is it necessary:
• Contribute to the implementation of public health protection programs in
countries of Central Asia;
• Assist in the implementation of programs to improve living standards
population and creation of new jobs;
• Assist in the implementation of projects to provide the population with
clean
drinking water;
• Development of the environmental education system based on the principle
continuity as the basis for sustainable development of the region;
• Interaction of non-governmental organizations of Central Asian
Republics (NGO CAR) and effective public participation in solving the problems of the Aral Sea.
The goal of the priority is to improve the work of interstate organizations (EC IFAS, ICWC, ICSD and two BWOs "Syrdarya" and BWO "Amudarya") by improving their legal and strengthening material and technical base. The state of the material, technical and legal base of interstate organizations does not correspond to the modern level, which complicates management, especially in extreme water years. An important condition for the effective work of interstate organizations is the improvement of regional information system, introduction of automated systems into water management practice, equipment of facilities modern means of automation, strengthening their legal and financial status, improving legal rules and regulations for their activities.
The goal of the priority is to preserve mountain, foothill ecosystems and glaciers, for this it is proposed to carry out studies of the dynamics of changes in factors affecting the reduction of glaciers, degradation mountain ecosystems and development of measures to reduce their negative impact.
The purpose of the priority is to assist in the implementation of projects aimed at improving natural systems of the Aral Sea region. Particular attention is paid to measures to prevent salt-dust transfer from drained bottom of the Aral Sea.
The fundamental principle of the formation of the Concept of sustainable development of the BAM is adoption of a system of regional sustainable development goals and the main directions for their implementation (including mechanisms for coordination, financing and participation of the civil sector), on the basis of which, taking into account economic, social and environmental conditions of the Central Asian countries, the Basin SD Strategy will be formed Aral Sea. Analysis of the key problems of the Aral Sea region allows us to formulate a long-term goal its development is to improve the well-being of the population of the region and ensure a healthy life in harmony with nature.
The positive experience of international programs (Baltika-21, Mekong IWRM, etc.)
indicates
the need to develop a mechanism to support the Program, including:
• coordination mechanism
• financial mechanism. Actions under this plan may
financed from domestic, regional and international sources, through the national
financing or with the help of special economic levers, as well as a system of grants and loans.
• Legal support mechanism. Necessary actions should be based on
intergovernmental agreements of the countries of the region and national legislation. There must be a single
approach to legislative, regulatory and methodological support of environmental protection and monitoring.
• Process monitoring
• Training and education
• Relationship with other programs
• Public Participation
An important stage in the implementation of the Program should be the conduct of a
preliminary social
assessments of local communities located in adjacent territories with protected areas. In this case,
social activities during the project period should serve as a zero reference for the overall assessment and
monitoring, both to further identify needs, priorities, beneficiaries at the local level, and to
confirmation of the effectiveness of projects.
Project proposal concepts developed by regional working groups and rosters
project proposals of a national character are given in the annexes.