Environment - The Times Of Central Asia

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Desertification

Environmental Pressures Affect Up to 80% of Irrigated Land in Turkmenistan

Environmental pressures in Turkmenistan are intensifying, with desertification, water scarcity, and ecological degradation posing increasing risks to agriculture and public health, according to a recent analysis cited by News-Asia. The study was prepared by experts from the Central Asia Climate Foundation (CACF)’s climate change and green energy project office ahead of a regional environmental summit scheduled for April 22–24 in Astana. Researchers warn that desertification has reached critical levels across large parts of the country. The expansion of the Karakum and Kyzylkum deserts is described as among the fastest globally, threatening farmland, infrastructure, and living standards. Land degradation is being exacerbated by overgrazing, soil salinization and inefficient water use. As a result, up to 80% of irrigated land is affected by elevated groundwater salinity, reducing soil productivity. Water scarcity remains another major challenge. Turkmenistan relies heavily on transboundary rivers, particularly the Amu Darya, leaving it vulnerable to upstream water management decisions. Climate change is also contributing to reduced flows in rivers such as the Atrek, Murgab, and Tejen. Much of the irrigation infrastructure dates back to the Soviet era and suffers from significant losses, while agriculture accounts for around 90% of total water consumption. The analysis highlights the continuing regional impact of the Aral Sea crisis. The drying of the sea has increased the frequency of salt and dust storms carrying harmful substances across Central Asia. In northern regions, including Dashoguz, medical specialists have reported rising rates of respiratory illness and other health problems linked to deteriorating air quality. Environmental risks are also growing along the Caspian Sea coast. According to the report, pollution from hydrocarbon extraction combined with declining water levels is affecting biodiversity and undermining fisheries. At the same time, the government has taken steps to address environmental challenges through national climate programs and reforestation initiatives. Turkmenistan is also participating in international projects, including a regional effort launched earlier this year to combat marine litter in the Caspian Sea with support from the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Environment Programme. The upcoming summit in Astana is expected to bring together around 1,500 participants, including government officials and representatives of international organizations, to discuss coordinated responses to environmental threats. Organizers say the meeting could result in a regional action program for 2026-2030 and a joint declaration by Central Asian leaders.

Air Pollution

Report Reveals Persistently High Air Pollution Levels in Bishkek and Osh

Air pollution remains one of Kyrgyzstan’s most serious environmental challenges, particularly in the cities of Bishkek and Osh, where coal-based heating and motor vehicle emissions are identified as the main sources of pollution, according to a report by the environmental organisation MoveGreen. The study, covering the period from December 2024 to November 2025, found that Bishkek experienced between 118 and 120 days during which concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exceeded permissible limits. Average annual levels were estimated at between 44 and 47 micrograms per cubic meter, significantly above the World Health Organization’s recommended guideline of 5 micrograms per cubic meter. Air quality in the capital shows strong seasonal variation. Pollution levels rise sharply during winter due to increased coal consumption for heating and the accumulation of emissions linked to the city’s geographical setting. As a result, Bishkek has frequently ranked among the world’s most polluted urban areas in international air quality monitoring indices. In Osh, pollution patterns were described as more stable but still concerning. Elevated PM2.5 levels were recorded for 159 days during the study period, nearly half the year. The city’s average annual concentration reached 74 micrograms per cubic meter, far exceeding international health recommendations. The report’s authors also noted that concentrations of other pollutants, including nitrogen oxides and formaldehyde, tend to increase during warmer months. Among the key recommendations outlined in the study are a gradual transition to cleaner heating sources, expansion and modernisation of public transport systems, measures to reduce dust pollution in urban areas, and improvements in air quality monitoring infrastructure.

Agriculture

Kyrgyzstan Plans $10 Million Animal Vaccine Plant to Strengthen Livestock Sector

Kyrgyzstan is planning to build a modern animal vaccine production facility as part of broader efforts to improve disease prevention and support the development of its livestock sector. The project was discussed on March 17 during a meeting between Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry Erlist Akunbekov and representatives of Altyn Tamyr Joint-Stock Company. Altyn Tamyr is currently the country’s only producer of veterinary biopreparations, supplying the domestic market and exporting products to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan. Akunbekov described the planned facility as a strategic initiative and instructed officials to ensure that construction and commissioning proceed as quickly as possible. Preliminary estimates put the cost of the project at approximately $10 million. The government is expected to support the initiative through preferential financing and by creating favorable conditions for investors. Officials say the plant will help strengthen veterinary safety standards and improve productivity in the livestock sector. Once operational, it is also expected to enable Kyrgyzstan not only to meet domestic demand for veterinary vaccines but also to expand exports. The project comes amid continued growth in the country’s livestock population. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, as of the end of 2024 Kyrgyzstan had 1,828,527 head of cattle, an increase of 1.5% compared with the previous year, including 918,638 cows, up 1.8%. The number of sheep and goats reached 6,282,810, a year-on-year increase of 1.1%, while the horse population grew by 2% to 553,531 head. Poultry numbers rose more sharply, increasing by 10.5% to 7,724,314. To obtain more precise data, Kyrgyzstan plans to conduct a nationwide agricultural census from March 20 to April 10, 2026. Experts note that strengthening veterinary infrastructure will be crucial for sustaining growth in the livestock sector and expanding the country’s agricultural exports.

Natural World

Kazakhstan Plans First Legal Saiga Horn Exports

In 2026, Kazakhstan plans to begin officially exporting the horns of saiga antelopes for the first time in its history. The initial shipment is expected to total 20 tons, potentially generating tens of millions of dollars on Asian markets. The decision appears both logical and controversial. On one hand, the state has an opportunity to recover part of the funds spent on protecting the species. On the other, legalising trade could stimulate demand and once again make the saiga antelope a target for poachers. From the Brink of Extinction to a “Problem Species” In the early 2000s, the situation was critical. By 2003, only about 21,000 saigas remained in Kazakhstan. The animals were widely poached for their horns, which were sold on Asian markets. The government responded with strict measures, including a hunting ban, enhanced protection, and the establishment of specialised agencies such as Okhotzooprom, responsible for safeguarding rare and endangered wildlife. Even after 2015, when more than 200,000 animals died from pasteurellosis, conservation programs continued. The results were striking. By 2025, the saiga population had surpassed 2 million. However, this conservation success has created new challenges. Large herds have increasingly damaged agricultural land, trampling pastures and destroying crops. Farmers in affected regions have called for urgent intervention and compensation. Stockpiles and Potential Revenue In response, authorities introduced population control measures, including limited culling. At the same time, antlers accumulated in storage facilities both from legally culled animals and those seized from poachers. Today, around 20 tons of saiga horns are reportedly stored in warehouses. Maintaining these stockpiles entails budgetary costs. With black market prices reaching up to $3,000 per kilogram, the theoretical value of the reserves could approach $60 million. In practice, officials expect lower but still substantial revenue. The main buyers are expected to be in Asia, particularly China, where saiga horns are used in traditional medicine. To enter international markets, Kazakhstan must comply with the strict requirements of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This includes demonstrating that trade does not threaten the species’ survival, and ensuring full traceability of the product’s origin. Without such verification, exports will not be permitted. Why Horns Are Being Exported At first glance, domestic processing of saiga horns into pharmaceutical products might appear more profitable. In reality, this option faces significant obstacles. Scientific evidence does not show that there are any medicinal properties in saiga horns, which consist primarily of keratin, similar to human hair and nails. In addition, the traditional medicine market is highly conservative, with consumers placing greater trust in established local brands. Buyers also tend to prefer whole horns, as powdered products are easier to counterfeit. Furthermore, the saiga population remains vulnerable to disease outbreaks, which could undermine long-term investment in processing facilities. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations further limit investor interest in industries linked to wildlife exploitation. Risks of Legalisation The main concern is that legalising trade could unintentionally strengthen illegal markets. Once a product becomes legal, it...

Sustainable Energy

Kyrgyzstan Seeks Climate Finance and Carbon Market Funding to Cut Emissions

Kyrgyzstan is preparing to sign a carbon project aimed at supporting the country’s transition to sustainable energy. The announcement was made by Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibrayev following a meeting with World Bank Country Manager for Kyrgyzstan Hugh Riddell on March 13. The initiative will be supported by the Transformative Carbon Asset Facility (TCAF), a World Bank trust fund designed to help developing countries introduce market-based carbon pricing mechanisms and attract private investment in low-carbon technologies. TCAF provides a hybrid financing model that combines climate finance with carbon market funding. Payments are made only after verified reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are achieved. The project is being implemented under the Innovative Finance for Resilient and Sustainable Energy Transition (iFIRST) program. According to Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Energy, it will use a results-based payment mechanism, meaning that emission reductions must first be measured and independently verified before financial compensation is disbursed. If the reductions are confirmed, Kyrgyzstan could receive up to $4.5 million in climate finance to support its commitments under the Paris Agreement. The initiative may also attract up to $5.5 million in additional funding through carbon market mechanisms. The project includes technical assistance grants of up to $1.5 million to strengthen the institutional capacity of government agencies, develop a national system for monitoring greenhouse gas emissions, and establish a national carbon unit registry. Officials say the initiative will help advance reforms in Kyrgyzstan’s energy sector, strengthen the country’s climate policy framework, and increase access to international climate finance. It is also expected to contribute to environmental sustainability, modernization of the energy sector, and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. In July 2025, Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet of Ministers approved the Concept for Achieving Carbon Neutrality in the Kyrgyz Republic. The strategy outlines a phased transition toward a carbon-neutral economy, focusing on key sectors including energy, transport, industry, agriculture, waste management, and forestry. The concept prioritizes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, restoring forest ecosystems, adopting innovative technologies, and integrating climate risks into national planning. The government views the initiative as a foundation for attracting climate finance, creating green jobs, and ensuring long-term environmental security. Under the strategy, Kyrgyzstan has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 44% by 2030. Despite these ambitions, the country’s overall emissions remain relatively low, accounting for less than 0.032% of global greenhouse gas emissions. In October 2025, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment, and Technical Supervision published Kyrgyzstan’s first Biennial Transparency Report. According to the document, total greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 reached 19.38 million tons of CO₂ equivalent. Forests, soils, and other ecosystems absorbed 10.31 million tons, resulting in net emissions of 9.07 million tons. The energy sector remains the largest source of emissions, accounting for more than half of the total. Agriculture is the second-largest contributor, largely driven by livestock production. At the same time, emissions from transport, electricity generation, and heating have declined significantly since the early 1990s due to the adoption of cleaner technologies and...

Environment

“Acid clouds” from Iran? Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Weather Agencies Say There is No Threat to Central Asia

Social media has been flooded with claims that a toxic cloud could drift from Iran toward Central Asia following strikes on oil facilities. However, the meteorological services of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan say those fears are not supported by scientific data. In recent days, posts online have warned of so-called “acid clouds” allegedly forming over Iran after attacks on oil depots and other energy infrastructure. Some of these posts claimed the pollution could be carried by atmospheric currents toward Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and China. Others cited reports of “black rain” in Tehran and elevated concentrations of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and soot. Iranian authorities and international reporting have documented severe local air pollution risks in and around Tehran after the strikes. The Iranian Red Crescent Society warned residents that rainfall following the explosions could be acidic and hazardous to health. Experts said the pollution could irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs and contaminate soil and water near the affected areas. Kazhydromet, Kazakhstan’s national weather service, said reports that “acid clouds” from Iran could reach Central Asia are not confirmed by scientific data or observation results. The agency explained that acid precipitation typically forms near the source of emissions and that the concentration of pollutants decreases significantly over long distances due to natural atmospheric processes. Monitoring data, it said, show no signs of such pollution moving toward Kazakhstan or other Central Asian countries. Uzbekistan’s hydrometeorological service, Uzhydromet, expressed a similar position. It said information circulating on social media about “acid clouds” reaching Central Asian countries has no scientific basis. According to the agency, dangerous concentrations of acid precipitation thousands of kilometres from the source are practically impossible, and current observations show no threat to Uzbekistan or neighbouring states. Experts note that large fires at oil facilities can release substantial amounts of harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. However, such risks are primarily local or regional near the source. By the time emissions travel very long distances, atmospheric dispersion and deposition typically reduce concentrations sharply. As a result, the health concerns reported in Tehran do not support claims of a toxic cloud threatening Central Asia. Both Kazhydromet and Uzhydromet urged the public and media outlets to rely on official information and avoid spreading unverified reports.