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Water Crisis in Uzbekistan: an interview with Eco-journalist Nargis Kosimova

For a long time now, there have been murmurs about the growing problem of water shortages in Uzbekistan. Every citizen is likely to remember, at the very least, public service announcements on television with calls to conserve water. Still, the issue began to really attract people’s attention after the last, rather unexpected hike in cold tariffs. Was this an indication of the situation deteriorating? What is going on with water resources, and what should we expect moving forward? To find out, we talked to Nargis Kosimova, an eco-journalist, teacher, media trainer, and doctor of philology, who has come to fame as the author of Ekolog.uz. What is the current situation with drinking water in Uzbekistan? The problem with water resources is particularly serious in Uzbekistan, now. Experts say that by 2030, the water deficit could reach 7 billion cubic meters, and this could double by 2050. Unfortunately, the climate is changing at a rapid pace. Our key rivers, the Amu Darya and the Syr Darya have seen their discharge decline 20% in just 50 years. Currently, we are also seeing dust storms and droughts, which are exacerbating the problem of water scarcity. The result may be a rise in the cost of fresh water and, consequently, food prices, with the entire economy of the country affected in turn. For example, over the past 15 years, the amount of water used per person in Uzbekistan has roughly halved from 3,000 cubic meters in 2008 to 1,500 cubic meters by the end of 2022. Nevertheless, water consumption per capita is still very high. for example, in Germany each person uses just 312 cubic meters of water each year, meaning that even though they have plentiful resources, Germans conserve a lot of water. Last year, we conducted a training session which was attended by 60 farmers. Unfortunately, not one of them, as they told us, had switched to water-saving technologies. when asked why not, they gave a wide range of answers, from a lack of money to the phrase, “Why [should we] if there is still water?” What measures can be taken to help avoid a water crisis? Many experts highlight drip irrigation as an effective way to rationally utilize resources. Even the Ministry of Water Resources noted that switching to this system would significantly reduce the stress on the country’s reserves. and at the same time, yields would increase significantly. Increasing prices on drinking water can also help avoid a crisis situation, while control over water usage should also be strengthened. A 100% transition to water-saving technologies in agriculture is needed, as well as protecting rivers from erosion. In Uzbekistan, starting on May 1st, an indefinite moratorium on the extraction of ore from the beds of large rivers will come into effect. Increasing construction and urbanization have led to almost uncontrolled extraction of sand and gravel, as a result of which riverbeds have been nearly degraded and the water has practically disappeared from these rivers. Moreover, it is not just water that...

Central Asia Uzbekistan Environment Environment Home Uzbekistan Uzbekistan Business & Economy Features

Uzbekistan Continues Switching Public Transport to Electric-Powered

Uzbekistan is charging ahead in 2024 on a course it began a few years ago to modernize public transport systems. Metro lines have been completed and several new stations opened in both remote and densely populated areas of Tashkent, and a plan is being developed to bring the most environmentally-friendly form of urban transport, the streetcar back to the capital. The bus fleet in Tashkent has also been significantly upgraded; now, it's mostly comprised of newer, more comfortable buses and electric buses. Against a background of serious air quality problems, the issue of reducing the number of cars on the roads has become particularly urgent. Thus, in the capital and other major cities, authorities are opting for electric modes of urban transport. The first bus powered by electricity hit the streets of Tashkent back in 2019. Last year, officials in the capital agreed to purchase 2,000 buses from China: half of them will be used in the regions and the rest in Tashkent. In early 2024, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) issued a loan to Uzbekistan to buy 100 Yutong electric buses from China for the Samarkand Region. Tashkent will buy 673 electric buses - out of 1,063 total planned purchases - by 2025. From now on, only electric buses will be purchased for Uzbekistan's capital. By 2025, their share of the public transport mix of Tashkent should be 49%. It is a major component that city authorities are counting on as part of a plan to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, reduce noise levels in the city, and improve transport safety. Uzbekistan plans to not only buy pre-assembled buses but to also produce its own. a memorandum has been signed with Lanzhou Guangtong New Energy Automobile of China to start the joint production of 2,000 electric buses annually in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan's continued efforts at electrification of the public transport network comes against a backdrop of the low headline costs of using that transport. Numbeo, the world's largest database on the cost of living, publishes data on the cost of public transportation in different countries. according to their data, the cost of a one-way fare in Uzbekistan is $0.13. In Kazakhstan, the fare is slightly more at $0.20. Currently, there is no data on other Central Asian republics. The top three are most expensive places are Switzerland ($4), Norway ($3.76), and the Netherlands ($3.66).

Environment Uzbekistan Environment Central Asia Uzbekistan Features

Potential Water Crisis in Uzbekistan: An Interview with Eco-journalist Nargis Kosimova

For a long time now, there have been murmurs about the growing problem of water shortages in Uzbekistan. Every citizen is likely to remember, at the very least, public service announcements on television with calls to conserve water. Still, the issue began to really attract people’s attention after the last, rather unexpected hike in cold tariffs. Was this an indication of the situation deteriorating? What is going on with water resources, and what should we expect moving forward? To find out, we talked to Nargis Kosimova, an eco-journalist, teacher, media trainer, and doctor of philology, who has come to fame as the author of Ekolog.uz. What is the current situation with drinking water in Uzbekistan? The problem with water resources is particularly serious in Uzbekistan, now. Experts say that by 2030, the water deficit could reach 7 billion cubic meters, and this could double by 2050. Unfortunately, the climate is changing at a rapid pace. Our key rivers, the Amu Darya and Syr Darya, have seen their discharge decline 20% in just 50 years. Currently, we are also seeing dust storms and droughts, which are exacerbating the problem of water scarcity. The result may be a rise in the cost of fresh water and, consequently, food prices, with the entire economy of the country affected in turn. For example, over the past 15 years, the amount of water used per person in Uzbekistan has roughly halved from 3,000 cubic meters in 2008 to 1,500 cubic meters by the end of 2022. Nevertheless, water consumption per capita is still very high. For example, in Germany each person uses just 312 cubic meters of water each year, meaning that even though they have plentiful resources, Germans conserve a lot of water. Last year, we conducted a training session which was attended by 60 farmers. Unfortunately, not one of them, as they told us, had switched to water-saving technologies. When asked why not, they gave a wide range of answers, from a lack of money to the phrase, “why [should we] if there is still water?” What measures can be taken to help avoid a water crisis? Many experts highlight drip irrigation as an effective way to rationally utilize resources. Even the Ministry of Water Resources noted that switching to this system would significantly reduce the stress on the country’s reserves. And at the same time, yields would increase significantly. Increasing prices on drinking water can also help avoid a crisis situation, while control over water usage should also be strengthened. A 100% transition to water-saving technologies in agriculture is needed, as well as protecting rivers from erosion. In Uzbekistan, starting on May 1st, an indefinite moratorium on the extraction of ore from the beds of large rivers will come into effect. Increasing construction and urbanization has led to almost uncontrolled extraction of sand and gravel, as a result of which riverbeds have been nearly degraded and the water has practically disappeared from these rivers. Moreover, it is not just water that has...

Environment Uzbekistan Environment Home Uzbekistan Uzbekistan Features Features

Harnessing Social Media for Social Change: An Interview with Tashkent-based Eco-Blogger Mutabar Khushvaktova

More and more people in Uzbekistan are paying attention to environmental issues and aspiring to make a real change in their country. One such campaigner is Mutabar Khushvaktova, an eco-blogger who has used her platform to draw attention to environmental issues and inspire others to take action. The Times of Central Asia spoke to Khushvaktova. What is it like to be an environmental activist in Uzbekistan, and when did you first become so involved in environmental issues? After my daughter was born, I began thinking about the future and what I could do to provide her with a favorable environment in which to live. I decided to start blogging and talking about the environment to raise awareness about these issues. I realized that the media plays an important role in shaping public opinion, so I resolved to use this tool. One of my main accomplishments was to create a popular blog about environmentalism and opportunities to change our situation. I try to use my blog for educational outreach and to bring attention to these issues. I base my content solely on source-verified information, including global statistics. This allows me to create content that’s truthful and credible. Next year, I plan to enroll in a European Master's program to get a specialized education in the field of ecology. I would like to create books for kindergartners, school children and students. From my childhood, I was very much in love with nature - animals, plants, everything related to nature. It was a passion my parents also shared. Being a parent is a huge responsibility, and a great motivator. I see every child as if they were my own; this generation is very exciting to me, and I want them to have a good future.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image="13505" img_size="full" el_class="scond-image" parallax_scroll="no" woodmart_inline="no"][vc_column_text woodmart_inline="no" text_larger="no"]You’ve been involved in eco-activism in Uzbekistan for some time, now; have you noticed any improvement? Yes, I have. After all, in the almost three years I’ve been involved in this field, I’ve witnessed the emergence and development of various eco-initiatives. Compared to when I first started addressing this issue, the situation today has changed considerably. Back then, people had no idea about environmental issues at all, especially on social media. But even at that time, I felt that people were ready to learn more. They were very interested, and asked me a lot of questions. Nowadays, because there are more and more pressing environmental issues, people are paying more attention to this topic. It is worth saying that the whole idea of environmental awareness has become very popular in our society. For example, I notice that people no longer just send me direct messages with questions, but also actively discuss the issues in the comments section. They share their successes, tell me that they have started sorting garbage for recycling, started their own eco-friendly businesses, and even stopped using plastic bags.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image="14067" img_size="full" el_class="scond-image" parallax_scroll="no" woodmart_inline="no"][vc_column_text woodmart_inline="no" text_larger="no"]Recently, there have been stories in the news about the deteriorating air quality in...

Central Asia Environment Kazakhstan Environment Kazakhstan Life & Culture Kazakhstan

Residents of Central Kazakhstan Village Arrested For Trying To Halt Saiga Killings

The shooting of saiga antelopes has resumed in Kazakhstan, which has angered many in the country, including residents of a village in the central Ulytau region, Kyzylzhar. According to the Interior Ministry, on January 10 a group of Kyzylzhar residents deliberately prevented hunters from a company called Okhotzooprom from shooting the saigas. The persons were arrested and are currently in custody. According to local ecologist Almasbek Sadyrbayev, the female saigas were carrying calves. The local authorities have pointed out that the saiga shootings were carried out lawfully, and that the villagers used physical force against Okhotzooprom staff. Andrei Kim, deputy chairman of the Ministry of Ecology’s forestry and wildlife committee, confirmed at a press conference that the moratorium on saiga shooting in Kazakhstan, in force until 2024, will not be extended. However, saigas have been introduced to western Kazakhstan as part of a program to regulate their population. Commercial hunting will continue until February 29.

Central Asia Uzbekistan Environment Environment Uzbekistan Turkmenistan Turkmenistan Environment

UNDP Supports Sustainable Development of Caspian Region

A roundtable discussion on Central Asia’s cooperation with the European Union was held on February 2nd at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Office in Brussels, Belgium. The event brought together representatives from UNDP, the European Commission, and ambassadors of Central Asian countries to the EU. The participants discussed ways to boost sustainable economic growth in the region by creating partnerships to ensure a steady supply of critical raw materials, and enhancing the efficiency of the Trans-Caspian Corridor, also known as the Middle Corridor. The participants also emphasized the importance of supporting the transition of Central Asian economies towards environmentally friendly and sustainable systems, in line with their climate commitments on emissions. Katarzyna Wawiernia, the UNDP resident representative in Kazakhstan, emphasized the significance of the Trans-Caspian Corridor and the sustainable development of the Caspian region overall. “We recommend adopting a sustainable landscape management approach for the future development of the Caspian region. In this regard, UNDP, in partnership with the Government of Kazakhstan, is planning a large-scale initiative to promote an integrated ecosystem-based approach to conserve key species and habitats of the Caspian Sea and ensure sustainable economic development for local communities. Throughout its history, the Caspian Sea has been a significant source of biological resources. They make up a single ecosystem that requires strong protection from natural and people-made factors,” Ms Wawiernia said.