Environment - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 1 - 6 of 173

Kyrgyzstan Launches $52 Million Environmental Initiative to Combat Natural Disasters

Kyrgyzstan has officially launched RESILAND CA+, a $52 million environmental initiative aimed at restoring degraded landscapes, reducing natural disaster risks, and strengthening regional cooperation in sustainable land management. Funded primarily by the World Bank, the project targets key ecological threats across several regions, including Osh, Jalal-Abad, Naryn, and Issyk-Kul, with a particular focus on the Kara-Darya River Basin, an area highly vulnerable to mudflows. According to the Kyrgyz Ministry of Emergency Situations, RESILAND CA+ seeks to mitigate the impact of mudflows, restore forests and soils, and build climate resilience across borders. Kyrgyzstan has recorded more than 900 mudflows over the past 12 years, posing a constant threat to lives and livelihoods, particularly in mountainous and riverine communities. “This project opens a new chapter in combating land degradation and climate threats in Kyrgyzstan,” said Boobek Azhikeev, Minister of Emergency Situations. “We are not just restoring landscapes, we are protecting the future of our communities”. The RESILAND CA+ program is financed through a combination of grants and credits from international development partners: $45 million in credit from the International Development Association (IDA) $5 million grant from the PROGREEN global partnership $2.4 million grant from the Korea-World Bank Partnership Facility (KWPF) Tatiana Proskuryakova, the World Bank’s Regional Director for Central Asia, stressed the broader impact of the initiative: “RESILAND CA+ is not just about the environment, it’s an investment in people’s safety, in the economy, and in international partnerships. Restoring nature helps us prevent future disasters”. Set to run through 2029, the program is part of a larger Central Asian strategy to manage transboundary landscapes and natural resources collaboratively.

Rivers without Boundaries Environment investigation Rogun HPP World Bank

Communities in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan Demand World Bank Investigation into Rogun HPP

The World Bank’s Inspection Panel has agreed to formally investigate the World Bank’s involvement in the Rogun Hydropower Project (HPP) in Tajikistan, following a complaint filed on behalf of communities living downstream on the Amu Darya River in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The complaint, submitted by the international environmental coalition Rivers without Boundaries, raises serious concerns about the project's environmental and social impacts. The group claims the World Bank approved funding for the project based on outdated and incomplete assessments, failing to adequately consider risks to local ecosystems and communities. At the heart of the issue is the potential impact of filling the Rogun reservoir, which could reduce water flow to the Amu Darya delta by 25% or more. Experts warn this could accelerate desertification, increase soil salinity, and threaten the livelihoods and health of up to 10 million people in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Particularly vulnerable are the region’s rare tugai forests, including the Tigrovaya Balka Reserve, which was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2023. The dam's construction also endangers local aquatic species, such as the critically endangered Amu Darya false shovelnose sturgeon. “This investigation is a crucial step,” said Yevgeny Simonov, international coordinator of Rivers without Boundaries. “The Rogun project in its current form is a massive threat to the environment and to millions of people in Central Asia. The World Bank must adhere to its own environmental and social safeguards.” Activists also criticized the lack of public consultation in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, where affected communities were allegedly not informed in their native languages, Uzbek, Karakalpak, or Turkmen and where access to key documents was limited. Several complainants reportedly requested anonymity, citing fear of retaliation, which reflects the challenging environment for civic participation in the region. “People living in the lower Amu Darya basin have already suffered for decades due to poor water management and the drying of the Aral Sea. The Rogun project could be the final blow,” said Manana Kochladze of CEE Bankwatch Network. “There has been no serious dialogue with those whose lives depend on this river, which contradicts the basic principles of transparency and participation.” In 2023, environmental groups submitted proposed modifications to align the Rogun project with international standards, including cheaper and safer alternatives. However, the World Bank has yet to respond. Rivers without Boundaries alleges that the project violates multiple Bank policies, including those on environmental assessment, biodiversity protection, resource efficiency, dam safety, community engagement, and resettlement. The coalition is now urging the World Bank and other financiers to pause funding until a comprehensive, independent, and transparent investigation is completed and until meaningful steps are taken to prevent further harm to both people and nature.

Jashyl Muras tree-planting project Issyk-Kul region Carbon Credit Initiative Environment

Kyrgyzstan to Plant 10 Million Trees in Issyk-Kul via Carbon Credit Initiative

Kyrgyzstan is set to launch Central Asia’s first large-scale tree-planting project funded through carbon credits, in a landmark move toward reducing its carbon footprint and expanding its role in global climate finance. The ambitious initiative aims to plant over 10 million trees across 25,000 hectares in the Issyk-Kul region, with the potential to attract up to $180 million in climate financing. The project was discussed on April 8 during a meeting between Adylbek Kasymaliyev, Chairman of Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet of Ministers, and representatives of Valor Carbon, a UK-based firm specializing in climate finance. It will be implemented through the sale of carbon credits, officially marking Kyrgyzstan’s entry into international green finance markets. According to Valor Carbon, this will be the largest initiative of its kind in Central Asia and could unlock new opportunities in sectors such as transportation, food processing, hospitality, beekeeping, and eco-tourism. The new program aligns with Kyrgyzstan’s broader environmental campaign, Jashyl Muras (Green Heritage), launched by President Sadyr Japarov in March 2022. The campaign envisions planting 5-6 million saplings annually nationwide. In 2024, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision reported that 8,167,000 saplings were planted as part of the initiative, with a survival rate of 64%.

Environment World Bank Funding forest restoration

Uzbekistan Launches $153 Million Forest Restoration Project with World Bank Support

Uzbekistan, in collaboration with the World Bank, has launched a major initiative to restore forests and rehabilitate degraded lands across the country. The Uzbekistan Resilient Landscapes Restoration Project (RESILAND) was officially announced during the Samarkand Climate Forum on April 5. The World Bank will provide $153 million in funding, consisting of a combination of low-interest loans and grants. This initiative forms part of a broader regional strategy aimed at combating land degradation and enhancing climate resilience throughout Central Asia. RESILAND will initially target six provinces: Samarkand, Surkhandarya, Syrdarya, Jizzakh, Namangan, and Kashkadarya. Its objectives include forest restoration, improved land management, and the creation of new jobs through afforestation and nature-based business ventures. Uzbekistan’s Minister of Ecology, Aziz Abdukhakimov, emphasized that the project will play a critical role in helping the country achieve its goal of expanding forested areas to 6.1 million hectares by 2030. “The project will also support food systems, infrastructure, and nature tourism,” he said. Currently, only 10.6% of Uzbekistan’s territory is forested. In recent years, the government has intensified efforts to increase forest cover, particularly on the desiccated seabed of the Aral Sea. Tatiana Proskuryakova, World Bank Regional Director for Central Asia, welcomed the initiative, noting, “The World Bank values the opportunity to support the government of Uzbekistan in its efforts to restore degraded lands.” As part of the project, Uzbekistan plans to rehabilitate forests on 176,000 hectares, improve pasture conditions, combat soil erosion in mountainous regions, and develop agroforestry and industrial forest sectors. An additional 5,000 hectares will be allocated for the cultivation of medicinal plants. RESILAND will also provide support for small and medium-sized enterprises, offer training for local farmers, and promote eco-tourism in protected areas. The initiative includes plans to improve the infrastructure of the Forestry Agency and to launch Uzbekistan’s first National Forest Inventory. A new partnership between the Forestry Agency and the Green University near Tashkent will further use grant funding to advance forestry education and research. The project is part of the wider RESILAND CA+ program, which encompasses similar initiatives in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.

Saiga Culling Ecology Environment

Kazakhstan Considers Resuming Saiga Culling Amid Ecological and Agricultural Tensions

Kazakhstan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Yerlan Nysanbayev, has addressed the growing debate over the potential resumption of saiga culling, acknowledging that while no decision has yet been made, consultations with scientists and environmental experts are ongoing. Conservation or Population Control? Speaking at a government briefing, Nysanbayev emphasized the complexity of the issue. “We expect a second meeting. Science needs time to comprehensively study the situation, assess obligations, and determine whether population regulation is necessary or if alternative measures are viable,” he said. The minister acknowledged that the conflict between wildlife and agricultural interests is becoming increasingly apparent. “There are epizootic risks involved. A very balanced decision is required here,” he added. Regulation Methods: Culling or Capture? When asked about potential population control methods, Nysanbayev responded candidly. “It could be corral-based capture or shooting, what other options are there? But the final decision is still under scientific review.” The idea of regulating saiga populations first stirred controversy in 2022 when farmers in West Kazakhstan and Akmola regions reported widespread crop damage caused by the animals. Fields were trampled, fences destroyed, and harvests consumed. Some farmers even called for a state of emergency. By autumn 2023, saigas were added to the official list of animals subject to population control. Authorities initially aimed to capture 200,000 saigas, but technical challenges led to a shift toward culling. Meat processing plants began producing canned saiga meat for local consumption. Shifting Policies and Political Pressure However, on February 10, 2024, the Ministry of Ecology suspended the population control initiative following consultations with Kazakh and international experts. In April, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared his intent to ban saiga culling altogether, calling the antelope a “symbol of the Kazakh steppe”. Yet the issue resurfaced in March 2025 during a meeting of the National Kurultai. Tokayev again urged the government to reassess the situation, citing appeals from the AOYL political party and local residents. “Agriculture is suffering. Epizootic risks are growing. Overall, pressure on the ecosystem has increased,” he said. Global Context and Local Dilemma According to Energyprom.kz, global wildlife populations have declined by an average of 73% over the past 50 years. While Kazakhstan’s saiga population has rebounded significantly thanks to anti-poaching efforts and conservation policies, the country now faces a new dilemma: how to reconcile ecological preservation with agricultural stability. Minister Nysanbayev confirmed that a final decision will be made later this year but what form it will take remains uncertain.

Plastic bags Environment Lake Issyk-Kul ban Penalties

Kyrgyzstan Bans Plastic Bags at Lake Issyk-Kul

As of March 1, Kyrgyzstan has banned the use and sale of plastic bags and other plastic products in the resort and recreational areas of the Issyk-Kul region, including the beaches of Lake Issyk-Kul, the country’s main tourist destination. The Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision announced that fines will be imposed for violations, as part of efforts to protect the lake’s unique ecosystem and maintain cleanliness in the region. Penalties for Violations First offense: Warning Repeated violation within one year: Individuals - 3,000 KGS ($34) Legal entities - 10,000 KGS ($114) The ban and fines apply to both local residents and tourists. [caption id="attachment_29619" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Beach at Cholpon Ata; image: TCA, Stephen M. Bland[/caption] "It is not enough to hold only manufacturers or sellers accountable. All citizens must stop using plastic at Issyk-Kul. When visiting the lake, people should bring paper bags or reusable shopping bags," said Almaz Oskonbayev, an official with the ministry. This regional restriction is a precursor to a nationwide ban on plastic bags, set to take effect on January 1, 2027.