Kazakhstan Environment - The Times Of Central Asia

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Locust Control

Kazakhstan and China Test Biological Locust Control Agent

Scientists from Kazakhstan and China have completed field trials of a new biological pesticide designed to combat Moroccan locust infestations, offering a possible lower-impact alternative to conventional chemical insecticides. The trials took place in Kazakhstan’s southern Turkestan Region and showed the effectiveness of a biocontrol agent based on the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae, according to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture. The research was conducted as part of a joint international project focused on developing and demonstrating fungal technologies for preventing and controlling locust outbreaks in transboundary breeding areas. The project involved specialists from Kazakhstan’s Zhazken Zhiembayev Kazakh Research Institute of Plant Protection and Quarantine and researchers from the Institute of Plant Protection of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Field testing was carried out on pastureland in the Kazygurt district of Turkestan Region, where researchers monitored the effect of the fungal preparation on populations of Moroccan locusts (Dociostaurus maroccanus), one of the most destructive agricultural pests in Central Asia. To assess effectiveness, treated insects were placed in field cages containing 20 individuals each. Control groups were established 24 hours after application, and researchers monitored mortality rates daily throughout the trial period. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the first signs of fungal infection appeared three days after treatment. Mortality rates reached 70-80% by the fifth day, and by the ninth day all locusts in the experimental groups had died. Moroccan locusts are considered among the most dangerous migratory pests in the region, capable of causing extensive damage to pastureland and agricultural crops. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture said the results highlight the potential of biological crop protection methods as part of broader efforts to reduce the environmental impact of agricultural pest control. Researchers said the successful trial demonstrated the effectiveness of entomopathogenic fungi in suppressing locust populations without the additional ecological risks associated with large-scale chemical spraying. The next phase of the project will involve wider testing in different climatic zones across Kazakhstan, as well as practical recommendations for incorporating the technology into national locust monitoring and control systems. Locust infestations remain a major agricultural challenge across Central Asia. Last year, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan agreed to expand regional cooperation on locust outbreaks. Kazakhstan has also pursued similar work with Russia and China to coordinate monitoring and pest-control measures across borders.

Caspian Sea

Kazakhstan Channels Billions of Cubic Meters Into Caspian Sea

Kazakhstan has channeled 6.16 billion cubic meters of water into the Caspian Sea since the beginning of 2026 as regional governments confront mounting concerns over the long-term decline of the world’s largest inland body of water. The figure was announced by Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, who said more than 35 billion cubic meters of water had been channeled into the Caspian Sea over the past two and a half years. Nearly half of that volume, more than 17 billion cubic meters, came from floodwaters redirected from the Zhaiyk, or Ural, River during the severe spring floods that affected northern and western Kazakhstan in 2024. The Caspian Sea, bordered by Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan, has experienced a sustained decline in water levels in recent decades, raising concerns about both environmental degradation and economic losses across the region. TCA has previously reported that the Caspian Sea fell to its lowest recorded level in July last year, with the northern basin bordering Kazakhstan and Russia shrinking particularly rapidly. This poses both ecological and economic risks, including pressure on marine ecosystems, port infrastructure, fisheries and coastal settlements. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, there is increasing evidence that water levels in the Caspian could continue to fall significantly over the next half-century. Researchers say the decline is driven by a combination of factors, including reduced river inflows, changing precipitation patterns and increasing evaporation linked to rising temperatures and shifting wind regimes. Historically, the Caspian Sea has experienced substantial fluctuations in water levels. During the 20th century alone, levels varied by more than three meters. After reaching a historic low in 1977, the sea recovered by approximately 2.5 meters between 1978 and 1995 before entering another prolonged decline. UNEP researchers note that the downward trend has accelerated since 2006. Scientists stress that coordinated regional research is needed to better understand the interaction between climate change, river discharge, water consumption, evaporation and other factors influencing the Caspian’s future. The challenge has prompted increasing calls for cooperation among the five littoral states. Such collaboration is formally guided by the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea, commonly known as the Tehran Convention, which was signed by all five countries in 2003 and entered into force in 2006. Kazakhstan has also sought to frame water management as a broader strategic issue. The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation says the country’s updated Water Code requires industrial enterprises to prepare five-year plans for switching to recycled water supply, while the pace of introducing water-saving irrigation technologies rose from about 30,000 hectares a year before 2024 to 150,000 hectares annually in 2024 and 2025.

UNDP

UNDP Opinion: Central Asia – Shared Wildlife, Shared Landscapes, Shared Responsibility

As global leaders gather for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Assembly in Samarkand, Central Asia has an opportunity to send a clear message to the world: protecting biodiversity is not only about saving species — it is about securing water, livelihoods, resilience and long-term stability for millions of people across our region. From the glaciers of the Tien Shan and Pamir mountains to the deserts, steppes and river basins downstream, Central Asia’s ecosystems are deeply interconnected across borders. Rivers flow between countries. Wildlife migrates through shared landscapes. Mountain ecosystems regulate water systems that sustain agriculture, energy production and communities far beyond the highlands themselves. Among the most powerful symbols of this shared natural heritage is the snow leopard — the silent guardian of Central Asia’s mountains. The snow leopard represents far more than a rare and iconic species. Its survival reflects the health of entire ecosystems that millions of people depend upon every day. Healthy mountain landscapes help secure freshwater resources, reduce disaster risks, sustain pastures and agriculture, preserve biodiversity, and strengthen resilience to climate change across the region. But today, these ecosystems are under growing pressure. Climate change is accelerating glacier melting and intensifying water stress. Land degradation, unsustainable grazing, habitat fragmentation and biodiversity loss are placing increasing pressure on fragile mountain environments and rural livelihoods. Communities living closest to nature are often the first to feel the consequences — through declining water availability, degraded pastures, reduced agricultural productivity and increasing climate-related risks. These challenges do not stop at national borders. And neither can the solutions. Only a coordinated regional response can match the scale of the challenge. Protecting Central Asia’s mountain ecosystems requires countries to work together to conserve ecological corridors, strengthen transboundary protected areas, improve water and land governance, and invest in climate-resilient livelihoods for communities whose futures are closely tied to nature. There are already successful examples of regional agreements. For example, a highly successful transboundary nature conservation agreement in Central Asia protects the Ustyurt Plateau and the Turan Temperate Deserts. Spanning across Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, this initiative has successfully safeguarded vulnerable ecosystems and migratory species like the saiga antelope and snow leopard. [caption id="attachment_50004" align="aligncenter" width="1774"] Photo: Saiga calf. Kazakhstan/UNDP Kazakhstan[/caption] It is encouraging that transboundary cooperation has already taken shape across the region. Across Central Asia, governments, communities and development partners are already demonstrating that conservation and development can advance together. While each country's experience is unique, the lessons are remarkably similar: when communities benefit from healthy ecosystems, nature and people both thrive. In Kazakhstan, the snow leopard has become one of the clearest examples of how coordinated conservation efforts can help restore fragile ecosystems across borders. The species inhabits mountain systems that extend beyond national boundaries into China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Uzbekistan, making its protection inseparable from regional cooperation. Over the past decade, habitat countries have strengthened efforts to protect the species through national conservation strategies, expanded protected areas, and improved ecosystem monitoring. Supported by cooperation between the Government, UNDP, the Global...

El Niño

El Niño Could Bring Unusually Heavy Summer Rains to Central Asia, WMO Warns

Central Asia could face unusually heavy rainfall during the summer of 2026 as the climate phenomenon known as El Niño is expected to return in the coming months, according to forecasts from the United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The WMO estimates there is an 80% chance that El Niño conditions will develop between June and August and a near or above 90% chance that they will persist until at least November. The organization says the event could contribute to a rise in extreme weather around the world, including heatwaves, droughts, and intense rainfall. According to the WMO, temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean have been steadily increasing and are approaching the thresholds typically associated with El Niño. Scientists have also detected a large reservoir of unusually warm water below the ocean’s surface, with temperatures more than six degrees Celsius above normal in some areas, providing additional energy for the phenomenon to intensify. For Central Asia, El Niño is often associated with higher-than-average precipitation. While the region is better known for its arid and semi-arid climate, past El Niño events have brought increased rainfall to parts of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said countries should prepare for the possibility of stronger droughts and heavy rains, as well as elevated risks of heatwaves on land and in the oceans. “We need to prepare for a potentially strong El Niño event, which will exacerbate drought and heavy rainfall and increase the risk of heatwaves both on land and in the ocean,” Saulo said. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the developing conditions as an urgent climate warning, saying El Niño would “pour fuel on the fire” of global warming and could accelerate the impacts of extreme weather worldwide. Seasonal forecasts released by the WMO also indicate that temperatures from June through August are likely to remain above normal across most regions of the world. Scientists note that while there is no evidence that climate change is making El Niño more frequent, a warmer atmosphere and warmer oceans can amplify its effects. The previous major El Niño episode, in 2023-2024, ranked among the five strongest on record and contributed to record global temperatures in 2024. The WMO says improved seasonal forecasting gives governments time to prepare for potential disruptions to agriculture, water resources, and disaster response systems before severe weather develops.

Wildlife Restoration

Kazakhstan Releases New Group of Przewalski’s Horses Into the Wild

A group of five Przewalski’s horses has been released into the wild in Kazakhstan’s Kostanay Region as part of a reintroduction program to restore the species to its historical habitat, according to the country’s Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. Przewalski’s horse is the last surviving horse species. Once widespread across the grasslands of Central Asia, including present-day Kazakhstan, the species is distinguished by its stocky build, large head, and dun-colored coat with a dark mane. By 1969, Przewalski’s horses had disappeared from the wild and survived only in captivity. Kazakhstan launched a reintroduction program aimed at restoring a self-sustaining population in the country’s vast steppe ecosystems. The first seven horses arrived in Kostanay Region in the summer of 2024. A second group of seven horses was transported from Prague Zoo and Hungary’s Hortobágy National Park in June 2025. On May 25, five horses from that second group were released into the Altyn Dala State Nature Reserve. The group consists of Galvan, a stallion brought from Prague, and four mares from Hungary’s Hortobágy National Park. According to the Kazakhstan's Ministry of Ecology, the animals spent the past year in large acclimatization enclosures, where veterinarians and other specialists monitored their condition. Officials said the horses adapted to the local climate, survived the winter, and were considered ready for release onto the steppe. Before the release, Galvan was fitted with a GPS collar to allow researchers to monitor the group’s movements and gather data on their behavior in a natural environment. According to reserve specialists, the horses are in good condition and have already begun exploring new grazing areas and watering sites. Following their release, the animals remain under the supervision of state wildlife inspectors. Specialists will continue tracking their movements and adaptation to life in the wild. The ministry said that the release of these Przewalski’s horses is an important milestone in a reintroduction project that began in 2024, involving partnership between Ministry of Ecology and numerous European zoos. The initiative draws on Prague Zoo’s previous experience reintroducing Przewalski’s horses to Mongolia, one of the world’s most successful conservation programs for the species. The first group of seven horses brought to Kazakhstan in June 2024 remained under veterinary and zoological supervision throughout its adaptation period. The animals successfully endured their first winter in the Torgai Steppe, where temperatures dropped to as low as -30°C, and completed all necessary veterinary procedures. Six of those horses were released into the wild in early June 2025 after a year of acclimatization. Kazakh authorities plan to bring approximately 40-45 Przewalski’s horses to the country by 2029, a number considered sufficient to establish a breeding population capable of sustaining itself in the wild.

Water Security

Opinion: Water Without a Guarantor – Central Asia’s Next Security Test

The Fourth High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action, “Water for Sustainable Development,“ taking place in Dushanbe on May 25-28, comes at a difficult moment. Central Asia's water problem is no longer only about environmental management; it is moving into the field of regional security. The conference agenda is familiar and necessary: climate, investment, innovation, transboundary cooperation, and the implementation of the Water Action Decade. The harder question is what happens outside the conference hall. Does Central Asia still have a credible way to stop water stress from becoming an interstate crisis? For decades, the region operated in a post-Soviet setting in which Moscow shaped many security calculations, even though it was never a formal water arbiter. That setting has weakened. Russia has not disappeared from Central Asia, and it still retains military, economic, and institutional leverage. But since 2022, its role as the assumed external stabilizer has become less convincing. The result is not a simple vacuum. It is a more awkward reality: a region with many outside actors, but no trusted water-security guarantor. The Old Backdrop Is Weakening Central Asia's water system was built around a Soviet-era division of functions. Upstream republics, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, controlled the mountains, reservoirs, and hydropower potential. Downstream republics, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan, depended on seasonal water flows for agriculture, food security, and social stability. The Soviet system managed those tensions through central planning. After independence, cooperation became more fragile. Water, energy, borders, electricity, and agriculture were separated into national strategies. The rivers, however, remained transboundary. For many years, Russia remained the largest external power around which regional security calculations were organized. That did not make Moscow an effective water manager, but it helped shape the political environment. Today, that environment has changed. The CSTO did not prevent the Kyrgyz-Tajik border escalations of recent years. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan eventually reached a border agreement through direct negotiation rather than outside enforcement. That difference is not academic. Water disputes are rarely settled by conferences alone. They need trusted channels for mediation, compensation, and restraint when pressure builds. Central Asia has plenty of statements about cooperation. It has fewer tools for managing coercion when water becomes scarce. Three Pressure Points The region's water-security stress is already visible in three places. The first is Afghanistan's Qosh-Tepa Canal. The canal draws water from the Amu Darya, a river system critical for Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Because Afghanistan was not part of the old Soviet water-allocation arrangements, the Taliban government is creating a new upstream reality outside the inherited regional framework. Estimates of the canal's downstream impact vary widely. Some analyses suggest it could divert between 15 and 30% of the Amu Darya's flow, depending on the completion timeline, irrigation efficiency, and water-management practices. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that reduced Amu Darya flows could indirectly affect Kazakhstan if Uzbekistan compensates by drawing more heavily on the Syr Darya. Carnegie has described the Qosh-Tepa as a serious test for regional water cooperation. The second pressure point...