preservation - The Times Of Central Asia

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Glaciers

Glacier-Dependent Central Asian States to Benefit from ADB Climate Program

On October 29, the Green Climate Fund approved $250 million for Glaciers to Farms, a major adaptation initiative led by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to build climate-resilient water and agricultural systems in glacier-dependent regions of Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Pakistan. The funding, provided mostly as grants, will complement a broader $3.25 billion investment by ADB over the next decade. The program spans nine countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. These states rely heavily on glacier- and snow-fed rivers for agriculture, drinking water, and electricity. Accelerated glacial melt poses a direct threat to ecosystems and rural livelihoods, particularly in areas where one in four jobs depends on agriculture. By improving irrigation efficiency, expanding water storage, and investing in watershed management, the program seeks to reduce the growing frequency of droughts and floods linked to glacial melt. Glaciers to Farms will focus on four major glacier-fed river basins: the Naryn and Pyanj in Central Asia, the Kura in the South Caucasus, and the Swat in Pakistan. These basins cover about 27 million hectares and are home to an estimated 13 million people. The program will support glacier and climate assessments, upgrade monitoring networks, and introduce early warning systems to help communities prepare for glacial lake outburst floods and prolonged droughts. Beyond infrastructure, Glaciers to Farms will strengthen the capacity of local banks to finance agricultural enterprises, particularly those led by women, as part of its inclusive development approach. Climate-induced glacial retreat is a pressing concern for Central Asia, where glaciers supply up to 70 percent of river flows. The region contains more than 4,500 glacial lakes, many formed as a result of retreating ice. These lakes increase the risk of natural disasters such as lake outburst floods, avalanches, and landslides, threatening vulnerable mountain communities. Recognizing the urgency, the United Nations General Assembly has declared 2025 the International Year of Glacier Preservation. Tajikistan hosted the International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation in Dushanbe in May, highlighting the region’s central role in global climate adaptation efforts.

Water Conservation

Kyrgyzstan Drafts Program to Preserve Lake Issyk-Kul

Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision has released a draft Concept for the Sustainable Development of the Ecological and Economic System of Lake Issyk-Kul until 2030 for public discussion. The proposal addresses mounting environmental challenges that threaten the future of the lake, a vital component of the country’s climate system, biodiversity, and tourism industry. Located in northeastern Kyrgyzstan, Issyk-Kul is the nation's largest lake and one of its most important ecological assets and tourist destinations. The new Concept outlines a roadmap for sustainable management amid signs of accelerating environmental degradation. Falling Water Levels The lake’s water level has dropped by 2.75 meters between 1927 and 2003. To reverse this trend, the Concept recommends restoring hydrological monitoring infrastructure, including groundwater observation and river hydro-posts. It also proposes enforcing irrigation water accounting and transitioning local agriculture to water-saving technologies. Glacier Retreat and River Flow The 957 glaciers in the Issyk-Kul basin, spanning 560.8 km², are rapidly melting due to climate change. These glaciers feed roughly 120 rivers flowing into the lake, though only 80 reach it during the summer, largely due to irrigation withdrawals. To mitigate the loss, the government plans to introduce modern irrigation systems across 100,000 hectares of farmland, potentially redirecting up to 200 million cubic meters of water back into the lake annually. Wastewater and Sewerage Infrastructure Untreated wastewater from settlements and tourism infrastructure poses a serious threat to the lake’s ecosystem. The Concept includes measures to upgrade wastewater treatment, promote the reuse of treated water for irrigation, and expand sewerage systems. Over the past five years, 47 new treatment facilities have been built in the Issyk-Kul region. 2030 Environmental Goals The Concept sets several targets for the next five years: Reduce untreated wastewater discharge by 40% Expand specially protected natural areas to cover 20% of the region Implement ecotourism standards at all recreational facilities Introduce separate waste collection in all district centers Involve at least 80% of schoolchildren in environmental education programs “Issyk-Kul is a strategic resource for Kyrgyzstan. The Concept aims to ensure clean water, protect the shoreline, create safe recreation areas, and boost tourism and entrepreneurship,” said Meder Mashiev, Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision.

Endangered Species

“I Came To Pay the Fine”: In Kazakhstan, a Bear Pays an Unexpected Visit to a Government Office

Efforts to protect wildlife in Kazakhstan, particularly rare and endangered species, have begun yielding results. Animals listed in the national Red Book are increasingly venturing into human settlements. While some encounters are harmless or even humorous, others pose real dangers. A Curious Visitor in Serebryansk On August 18, a large brown bear wandered into the central square of Serebryansk, a city in East Kazakhstan. CCTV footage captured the bear approaching the city administration building. The bear had previously been seen on the city’s outskirts in early August, prompting residents to alert the forestry and hunting emergency response team. These teams are typically dispatched to relocate animals in distress or posing threats. However, the inspectors were unable to locate the bear, and it eventually made its way to city hall. Local residents responded with humor, joking on social media that the bear had come to pay a fine or meet the mayor. Despite the levity, city officials issued a serious warning, urging residents to stay indoors after 6 p.m. until the bear could be safely relocated. They also cautioned that feeding the bear or attempting selfies could be fatal. The authorities also reminded the public of basic safety rules in areas inhabited by predators: never approach bear cubs, as their mothers may become aggressive, and do not attempt to run from a bear unless immediate shelter is available. Even well-fed bears can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h. Bear sightings are relatively common in East Kazakhstan, with reports this summer from Ridder, the Sibinsk Lakes area, and the village of Bobrovka in Glubokovsky district. Bears in the Red Book and Beyond Two subspecies of brown bears inhabit Kazakhstan: the Tianshan brown bear, which lives in the Tian Shan and Dzungarian Alatau mountains, and the South Siberian brown bear, found in the Altai region. The Tian Shan brown bear is listed in Kazakhstan’s Red Book of endangered species, while the South Siberian bear is still legally hunted under regulated conditions. According to the Ministry of Ecology, the South Siberian brown bear population rose from 3,265 in 2022 to 3,578 in 2023. Hunting is permitted in limited numbers and only under supervision. The red-listed Tianshan brown bear population remains smaller. As of 2023, experts estimated 500-600 individuals nationwide. In Ile-Alatau National Park, partly located within Almaty city limits, about 70 Tianshan bears were recorded in 2022. The park regularly hosts educational events to raise awareness of the species. Elsewhere, roughly 270 Tianshan brown bears inhabit Kazakhstan’s portion of the Tien Shan, and more than 350 live in the Zhetysu Alatau. Dangerous Neighbors Despite conservation gains, human-bear encounters can end tragically. A tourist in Serebryansk recalled that in 2023, a female bear and her cubs foraged for food in summer cottages, destroying gardens and evading attempts to drive them away. A more serious incident occurred in May 2020 in the Almaty region, when a Russian man was fatally attacked by a bear while returning from a fishing trip. Mistaking a bear cub for...

Science

Kazakh Scientists Unveil Advanced Organ Storage Technology at Expo 2025

A team of Kazakhstani doctors from the UMC Heart Center, led by renowned cardiac surgeon Yuri Pya, presented a groundbreaking development at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan: ALEM, a device designed for long-term preservation of donor organs. Developed with the support of the Heart Center Foundation, ALEM (Astana Life Ex-situ Machine) addresses a pressing issue in Kazakhstan’s vast geographical context, ensuring timely and effective delivery of donor organs across long distances. Extending the Viability of Life The ALEM device can keep a donor heart viable for more than 24 hours by replicating conditions inside the human body, including maintaining precise temperature, oxygen levels, and vital functions. This significantly extends the traditional preservation window of 4-6 hours, offering new potential for transplantation logistics and success rates. From Emergency to Innovation The idea for ALEM was born from necessity. As Pya recalls, “We had a difficult situation, due to weather conditions we couldn’t get a donor heart in time. Then the idea arose to create our own system, more affordable and perhaps even more effective.” The device was developed through interdisciplinary collaboration among cardiac surgeons, anesthesiologists, and engineers. It has already passed preclinical trials on animals and is now preparing for the next phase: clinical testing. More Than Preservation According to Timur Lesbekov, director of the Heart Center’s cardiac surgery department, ALEM offers not only preservation but also therapeutic potential. “This product can be called a breakthrough. To sustain an organ for more than a day is a great achievement. Importantly, the system can also treat organs before transplantation,” he said. Developers hope that showcasing ALEM at Expo 2025 will attract international attention and foster collaboration in the field of transplantology. “This is a historic moment for Kazakhstan,” said Murat Zauyrov, director of the Heart Center Foundation. “It’s the first time we are presenting a major medical innovation on such a global stage. Our aim is to contribute to global medical progress.” Kazakhstan’s Transplant Challenges Kazakhstan currently needs around 10 transplants per million residents annually, according to Pya. Since 2012, 100 heart transplants have been performed, a modest number, but each representing a life saved. “It’s not just a surgery. It’s a complex operation involving air ambulances, police, and coordination across at least five ministries,” he emphasized. Plans are underway to begin serial production of the ALEM device in Astana, which would position Kazakhstan among a select group of countries with a domestically developed system for long-distance organ transport. Expo 2025: A Global Stage for Innovation Expo 2025 in Osaka features participation from 158 countries and nine international organizations. ALEM is on display at the Kazakhstan Pavilion in the “Connecting Lives” zone under the broader theme “Creating a Future Society for Our Lives”. Kazakhstan’s pavilion, designed in the shape of a traditional shanyrak, was presented alongside exhibitions from South Korea, Germany, and Turkey. The opening ceremony was attended by Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, with Kazakhstan’s delegation led by Minister of Trade Arman Shakkaliev.