Turkmenistan takes concrete steps to address water issue
By Aynur Karimova
Turkmenistan is taking concrete steps to address water and water-energy issues at the national level and contributes to the regional and international cooperation on this issue, Turkmen media said on July 14.
The steady increase of water consumption requires coordinated action and integrated programs that have long-term effects.
Turkmenistan is currently working on a large-scale project to preserve Altyn Asyr Lake in the middle of the Karakum desert. The project is designed to take drainage water from irrigated lands of all provinces and collect it in the country's huge natural basin Karashor.
Experts believe that the creation of a large water reservoir in Karakum will allow for the reclamation of irrigated areas in Turkmenistan, increase the productiveness, and prevent the soil salinity.
Currently the second stage of this grand project is underway, running at an accelerated pace. The branches of the collector are being expanded and deepened, waterworks, bridges, and roads are being constructed.
Turkmenistan is also carrying out research on the impact of the Turkmen lake and its collector network on improving biodiversity and ecological conditions. The relevant bodies often conduct a qualitative assessment of the mineralized waters of the manmade system and investigate the possibility of developing fish farming at its base.
One of the main areas of research is to resolve the issue of the desalination of mineralized water of the Turkmen lake and its main collectors and use this water for agricultural purposes.
Turkmenistan borders Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Afghanistan and uses the water resources obtained from four trans-boundary rivers, namely, Amu Darya, Tejen, Atrek, and Murghab in accordance with agreed upon quotas.
One of the most important tasks is to prevent the contamination of Amu Darya. One way to do so is the creation of Turkmen Lake. In the long term, water from all of the collectors will be directed to Turkmen Lake through the network system. This will minimize the contamination of Amu Darya and significantly improve the quality of water in the lower reaches of the river.
Ashgabat proposes to create the UN Aral Sea Program and to establish a specialized organization in conjunction with the UN Interregional Center on Climate Change. The Turkmen side expressed its readiness to deliver the necessary infrastructure for its project.
Recently speaking at the VII World Water Forum held in the South Korean city of Daegu, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has put forward an initiative to help develop the UN’s water strategy.
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Aynur Karimova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Aynur_Karimova
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