Description
Until 2000 in Central Asia, priority for water development has been given to covering the basic needs of human beings and satisfaction of economic development with no emphasis on ecosystems’ needs. The end result has been the disaster of the Aral Sea and its coastal zone with occurrence of heavy losses of biodiversity.
During the Soviet period, federal government constructed water infrastructure and allocated water resources in order to maximize irrigated agriculture. This policy brought some economic benefits and social stability to the region, but it also resulted in environmental challenges.
The key water management institutions were the republican water ministries supervised centrally. However, after the collapse of the Soviet union and independence of the new states, this economic system would no longer be applicable as each country begun to redefine its own economic priorities.
Although the new states were aware of their resource inputs and outputs, it became evident that their respective goals conflicted regarding water usage.
Action taken
In order to avoid collapse of the agricultural sectors the countries extended the water management principles and quota systems inherited from the Soviet era.
In February 1992, the five countries entered into agreement on Cooperation in the Joint Use and Protection of Water Resources of Interstate Significance. The agreement also formed an Interstate Commission for Water Coordination (ICWC) authorized to determine annual water consumption limits in accordance with actual water availability which subsumed the two existing basin water organizations.
In addition, the Aral Sea crisis has attracted international agencies and donors who link economic and political reforms with environmental and conflict issues. They have since then provided technical and financial assistance related to the Aral Sea (under Aral Sea Basin Programs).
An important element of current Aral Sea Basin Program is an establishment of Central Asian Water Information Base (CAREWIB). It aims at the improvement of information provision in water and environmental sectors in Central Asian countries in order to promote transparency openness and foster public support for rational natural resources use.
Bibliographic database was developed, and E-library includes e-versions of publications, international and national water law documents, international conventions, and other knowledge generated in the region.
Lessons learned
- With the involvement of stakeholders, water management organizations in Central Asia have been strengthened through sustainable capacity building network.
- IWRM is promoted with strong intellectual knowledge base; it helps understanding of the importance of coordination.
- A regional decision support tool, i.e. integrate the Central Asian Water Information Base (CAREWIB) helps to enhance decision-making processes of national, regional and international bodies.
Photo credit: Thomas Depenbusch