Turkmenistan Environment - The Times Of Central Asia

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Water

Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan Reach Agreement on Amu Darya Water Usage

A delegation from Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Water Resources visited Turkmenistan on March 13-14 to discuss bilateral cooperation on water management, Dunyo reports. Officials from both countries met in Turkmenabat to address key issues, including the maintenance and modernization of water infrastructure, flood prevention, riverbank reinforcement, and efficient water use. As part of the discussions, the sides reaffirmed their commitment to implementing agreements reached during the fourth Uzbek-Turkmen intergovernmental meeting on water management. They agreed to collaborate on hydrotechnical projects aimed at minimizing water losses in the Amu Darya River and optimizing resource use. The two countries also plan to conduct joint research on shared water bodies, exchange expertise on water-saving technologies and digital management systems, and enhance training programs for water management specialists. During the visit, the Uzbek delegation toured the Tuyamoyin hydroelectric complex, where representatives discussed potential improvements to its operations. Previously, The Times of Central Asia reported that Kazakhstan is set to receive 11 billion cubic meters of irrigation water by April 2025 under an agreement signed in Dushanbe. Meanwhile, on World Rivers Day of Action, environmental groups raised concerns about growing threats to Central Asia’s rivers and lakes. Organizations such as Rivers Without Boundaries and Friends of the Earth US have called on international financial institutions to reconsider funding for hydropower projects in the region.

Environment

Caspian Sea Shrinking Faster Than Expected, Risking Aral Sea-Like Disaster

The Caspian Sea is shoaling at an alarming rate, raising concerns among environmentalists in the countries that border it. According to the global movement Save The Caspian Sea, the sea level has dropped by two meters over the past 18 years. If this trend continues, the water level could fall by another 18 meters by 2100, triggering an ecological catastrophe much sooner than anticipated. Kazakh Coastlines Recede by 50 Kilometers The most dramatic retreat of the Caspian shoreline has been recorded along the Kazakh coast, where the sea has receded by 50 kilometers. Environmental activist Vadim Ni, founder of Save The Caspian Sea, reports that from 2005 to 2023, the sea’s surface area has shrunk by more than 30,000 square kilometers. This drastic change is devastating local ecosystems, particularly the Caspian seal population, which has declined from one million to just 70,000. Each year, thousands of dead seals are found along Kazakhstan’s coastline. Shipping and Oil Production at Risk Falling water levels are also disrupting shipping and trade in the Caspian Sea. Cargo ships can no longer enter the port of Aktau, a critical hub in the Trans-Caspian transport corridor that connects Kazakhstan with Azerbaijan. The Kazakh government has developed a dredging project to keep Aktau operational, with plans approved in December 2024. The project is expected to cost 42 billion tenge ($84 million). Additionally, the shoaling of the Caspian Sea is limiting the loading capacity of transport ships to just 75% of their maximum displacement. This also hinders access to the Kashagan oil field, one of Kazakhstan’s largest energy projects. [caption id="attachment_29154" align="aligncenter" width="671"] The Caspian Sea as seen from space; image: NASA[/caption] Ecologists Warn of Aral Sea-Like Collapse Russian ecologist Alexander Veselov has warned that the Caspian Sea could face the same fate as the Aral Sea, which virtually disappeared due to overuse and mismanagement. “The Caspian Sea may split into several parts, water quality will deteriorate, leading to mass deaths of swans, sturgeons, and seals. However, state authorities are failing to respond adequately to the crisis,” Veselov said. Impact on Climate and Regional Weather The Caspian Sea plays a crucial role in regulating the climate across Central Asia and beyond. Pyotr Zavyalov, deputy director of the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology at the Russian Academy of Sciences, warns that a continued drop in sea level could alter precipitation patterns as far as the Pacific region. The current average sea level of the Caspian stands at minus 29.5 meters relative to the World Ocean, the lowest point in 400 years. However, precise long-term predictions remain difficult due to the complex interactions of evaporation, river runoff, and precipitation. Volga River and Algae Threaten Caspian’s Future The Volga River, which supplies 90% of the Caspian’s water, has seen its flow dramatically reduced due to the construction of numerous dams in recent years. Meanwhile, scientists have recorded the spread of the dinophyte algae Ceratium tripos var. balticum in the Middle Caspian Sea. This invasive species can trigger harmful algal blooms, reducing oxygen...

Water

Experts Warn Central Asia Faces Chronic Water Shortage by 2028

Central Asia is heading toward a severe water crisis as climate change, population growth, and outdated infrastructure put increasing pressure on the region’s water resources, experts have warned. At a recent roundtable on climate change and water management, Stanislav Pritchin, head of the Central Asia sector at the Russian Academy of Sciences, highlighted the growing threat. Climate change is a major factor, as rising temperatures accelerate glacier melt - the primary source of freshwater in Central Asia. Meanwhile, rapid population growth is driving up demand. Uzbekistan, the region’s most populous country, has seen its population increase from 22 million in 1991 to an estimated 37.5 million in 2025. Across Central Asia, the total population is approaching 80 million. Another challenge is outdated infrastructure. Pritchin noted that up to 50% of irrigation water is lost due to inefficient and aging systems. Moreover, the region lacks a strong institutional framework for managing water distribution and policy. While some cooperative projects exist - such as the joint construction of the Kambar-Ata hydropower plant - they are insufficient to address the broader crisis. In response to these challenges, on February 19, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a $125 million loan to help Uzbekistan improve water security, reduce losses, and enhance distribution efficiency. The Climate-Smart Water Management Improvement Project aims to introduce advanced monitoring and management systems. Uzbekistan’s national water utility, Uzsuvtaminot, will implement digital technology to track water flow, minimize waste, and improve service delivery. The initiative will also establish a comprehensive inventory of water supply infrastructure and deploy a nationwide bulk flow metering and telemetry system. “Uzbekistan’s water resources are under acute threat from climate change and inefficient usage,” said ADB Country Director for Uzbekistan, Kanokpan Lao-Araya. “ADB’s project introduces smart water management systems to improve water usage, reduce energy consumption, and increase operational efficiency to lower Uzbekistan’s carbon footprint.” This initiative is part of Uzbekistan’s broader efforts to modernize infrastructure and prepare for future water challenges. However, experts caution that without stronger regional cooperation, no single country can fully resolve the crisis.

Methane Emissions

High Methane Emissions May Hinder Turkmenistan’s Gas Exports to Europe

High methane emissions could pose a significant obstacle to Turkmenistan’s entry into the European gas market, according to an updated report by the U.S. Department of Energy, published on February 6. The main findings of the study were summarized by Eurasia Review on February 19. The report, which examines oil and gas production in the Caspian region, notes that four countries, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, account for 3% of global energy production. Turkmenistan’s Gas Reserves and Export Ambitions According to the report, Turkmenistan ranks fifth worldwide in natural gas reserves, estimated at 400 trillion cubic feet in 2025. In 2023, the country set a record by producing 3.0 trillion cubic feet of dry natural gas, the highest level since official statistics began in 1992. Currently, Turkmenistan’s primary gas exports are directed to China, but Ashgabat is seeking to expand its market reach, including potential supply routes through Afghanistan. However, the U.S. Department of Energy warns that excessive methane emissions from Turkmenistan’s fields could complicate access to the European market via the Trans-Caspian pipeline. In terms of oil reserves, Turkmenistan holds a relatively modest 600 million barrels, with an average daily production of 275,000 barrels in 2024. Diversification Efforts and New Export Deals Meanwhile, Turkmenistan is taking steps to diversify its export destinations. Gas supplies to Turkey are set to begin on March 1. During a phone call on February 10, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov informed Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that an agreement had been reached to transit gas through Iran under a swap supply arrangement with Turkish energy company BOTAŞ. Efforts to Reduce Methane Emissions Turkmenistan has also been actively engaging in international initiatives to curb methane emissions. On December 1, 2023, the country joined the Global Methane Pledge (GMP), an initiative aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In November 2024, Bloomberg reported that the state-owned Turkmengaz plans to hire specialists to measure methane emissions more accurately and is preparing a tender for emission monitoring. That same month, the U.S. Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) released satellite data showing that methane leakage from oil and gas fields in Turkmenistan, the U.S., and Venezuela is significantly higher than official ground-based measurements suggest.

Science

U.S. Magazine Highlights French Cave Explorers’ Discoveries in Koytendag, Turkmenistan

The December 2024 issue of NSS News, a U.S. magazine, featured an in-depth report on the spring expedition of French speleologists to Koytendag, Turkmenistan. The expedition brought together 17 specialists in topography, photogrammetry, biospeleology, geology, and karstology. Their primary objectives were to document existing cave systems, create updated maps, and identify unexplored caves. Over 21 days, the team surveyed approximately 19 kilometers of caves, conducted over 8,500 topographic measurements, and refined maps created by Russian researchers. A major focus of the expedition was 3D photogrammetric modeling of the Geophysical (Gulshirin) Cave, renowned for its stunning gypsum formations. Using a Disto X laser rangefinder and the Topodroid app, the researchers enhanced mapping accuracy and created a digital replica of the cave. This cutting-edge model serves both scientific and educational purposes. “We took more than 50,000 photos in four days, allowing us to produce a highly accurate 3D model,” one expedition participant explained. “This technology not only reveals the cave’s internal structure and unique gypsum formations but also offers an immersive viewing experience.” The team also explored the northwestern part of the massif, identifying small gypsum systems and passages several tens of meters in length. To the east, near the snowy peak of Airybaba at an altitude of 2,400 meters, they discovered a cave marked on their maps. However, adverse weather conditions delayed a full survey of the site. Despite challenges in accessing some areas, the expedition yielded significant results. Koytendag reaffirmed its reputation as a geologically and biospeleologically rich region. The expedition’s findings were presented at a conference held at the French Institute in Ashgabat. Koytendag’s unique caves remain an untapped treasure, holding immense potential for advancing scientific and ecological understanding.

Biotechnology

Turkmenistan Develops Innovative Grapevine-Based Products

The International Science and Technology Park of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan is conducting groundbreaking research on the use of local grape varieties in biotechnology, focusing on waste-free production. The biotechnology laboratory is studying grape varieties such as "Garauzyum," "Gelinbarmak," "Terbash," "Khalili," and "Dagtokga," analyzing the properties of grapes, including their leaves, seeds, and vines, to develop innovative technologies. Altyn Rakhmanova, head of the laboratory, highlighted the versatility of grapes, noting their significance beyond traditional wine-making. She emphasized their potential to produce biologically active substances, compound feed, and environmentally friendly fuel. “Our research is aimed at identifying the potential of this crop for use in various industries,” Rakhmanova explained. The laboratory has already developed several grapevine-based products, including the antioxidant resveratrol, animal feed, and fuel briquettes. These briquettes, made from grapevine combined with other wood-based materials, are particularly noteworthy for their environmental benefits. When burned, they emit no toxic resins, making them suitable for both domestic and industrial use. This innovative approach not only reduces waste but also diversifies the product range. The project’s uniqueness lies in its combination of environmental sustainability and broad applications. In addition to product development, the biotechnology laboratory is exploring opportunities for international collaboration. Scientists believe that partnerships with foreign companies and research organizations will facilitate the exchange of knowledge and foster the creation of advanced environmentally friendly technologies.