Uzbek Minister: Afghans Have the Right to Amu Darya Water Too

The construction of the Qosh Tepa Canal in northern Afghanistan has attracted growing attention from neighboring countries, particularly Uzbekistan. The ambitious project, initiated by the Taliban to divert water from the Amu Darya River, is expected to be completed by 2028. Uzbekistan’s Minister of Water Resources, Shavkat Khamraev, addressed the issue during a public meeting on March 18, according to Gazeta.uz. When asked about the canal’s potential impact on Uzbekistan, Khamraev emphasized that Afghanistan has a legitimate right to access the Amu Darya’s waters. He dismissed speculation that the project represents a hostile act, urging a focus on diplomacy and cooperation. “Afghans are our relatives. They also have the right to take water from the Amu Darya. Should we take up arms and fight? No, we are building better relations,” said Khamraev. He urged the public not to be swayed by rumors or misinformation, comparing such speculation to gossip that turns neighbors against each other. Khamraev also noted that he had visited Afghanistan multiple times recently and was warmly received, which he sees as a sign of improving bilateral relations. Rising Concerns About Regional Water Security Despite the minister’s reassurances, experts warn that the canal could exacerbate water shortages across Central Asia. Over 80% of the region’s water resources are used for agriculture, but nearly 40% is lost due to outdated and inefficient infrastructure. If water availability from the Amu Darya decreases, greater pressure may be placed on the Syr Darya River, potentially deepening existing water disputes. Strategic and Geopolitical Implications The canal project has also drawn attention from international observers. A report by the Center for the National Interest, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, suggests that the United States could leverage the project to expand its influence in the region. Stretching 287 kilometers with a depth of 8.5 meters and a width of 100 meters, the Qosh Tepa Canal aims to irrigate over 1.2 million acres of farmland and create approximately 200,000 jobs in Afghanistan’s northern provinces. As construction progresses, the canal’s environmental, political, and economic impacts are likely to remain a key topic in regional diplomacy.

The Amu Darya and the Aral Sea Crisis: Voices from the Heart of an Environmental Disaster

A documentary entitled Amu Darya: Missing to the River has been produced as part of Project Amu Darya. This initiative began in 2022, and is a collaboration between students from Karakalpakstan, Khorezm, and Oxford University in the UK. This research is important for several reasons. Firstly, the Aral Sea crisis, which is one of the most severe man-made ecological disasters in history, is under-reported by the global media. Secondly, the academic field is limited - outside of Uzbekistan, the historiography of the Aral crisis is still a developing field. Thirdly, the geographical scope of research is limited. Research is often focused on the Aral Sea itself, and does not take into account the impact on the wider region. Finally, there is no involvement of stakeholders. The personal experiences of those living along the Amu Darya River are often excluded from studies. [caption id="attachment_25946" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Amu Darya: Missing to the River screening - image: TCA, Sadokat Jalolova[/caption] The Amu Darya is one of the two main rivers feeding the Aral Sea. Irrigation in the Amu Darya basin has been carried out for more than three thousand years. However, the current Aral Sea crisis was caused by mismanagement during the Soviet and post-Soviet eras. International donors have intensified their efforts to address the crisis. By December 2022, the UN Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea Region had raised over $16 million to support communities affected by the disaster. Established in 2018, the fund helps mitigate the environmental and social consequences of the crisis. President Mirziyoyev’s government has also lifted many data restrictions, allowing more research in the region. In 2017, the United Nations conducted the first socioeconomic survey of Aral Sea communities. [caption id="attachment_25948" align="aligncenter" width="884"] Aralkum Desert, former Aral Sea; image: TCA, Sadokat Jalolova[/caption] Central Asian countries are also cooperating to solve the problem of water level reduction in the Aral Sea. This year, as a result of the introduction of water-saving technologies on 55,000 hectares of rice fields in Kazakhstan, more than 200 million cubic meters of water were directed to the Aral Sea. The Times of Central Asia spoke with Annie Liddell, one of Project Amu Darya’s co-founders. She shared her thoughts about the inspiration behind the documentary. According to Liddell, the team were inspired by Svetlana Alexievich’s book Voices of Chernobyl. The author used oral interviews to highlight the personal stories behind the environmental disaster, making it more relatable. Liddell explained that the film aims to preserve the authenticity of interviewees’ voices and connect their stories of the Amu Darya’s past with the reality of its present state, which is a rapidly spreading desert. Local communities played a central role in the film’s creation. Students from Karakalpak State University and Urgench State University contributed to the research. Residents of Karakalpakstan and Khorezm also shared their personal stories, and provided insights into their culture and stability. [caption id="attachment_25949" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image: Project Amu Darya[/caption] The documentary depicts different historical periods and personal experiences. It covers...