Water crisis - The Times Of Central Asia

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ALTAÏ: A Documentary Exploring Central Asia’s Water Lifelines to Start Filming

A new documentary, ALTAÏ, by acclaimed writer Cédric Gras and director Bertrand Delapierre, is set to bring global attention to the fragile ecosystems of Central Asia and the critical water issues tied to its majestic Altai Mountains. Slated for release on Ushuaïa TV in 2026, the documentary promises an in-depth exploration of the vital role these mountains play in sustaining life across the arid steppes of Kazakhstan, while addressing ecological challenges, geopolitical tensions, and the impact of climate change. A Journey Through Kazakhstan’s Heart [caption id="attachment_33183" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Image: TCA, Ilyas Otan[/caption] The documentary follows the film crew’s expedition through Kazakhstan’s varied landscapes, beginning in its modern capital, Astana, and culminating in an ascent of Mount Belukha, the tallest peak in the Altai range. Along the way, the team will investigate how Kazakhstan is grappling with increasing water scarcity while striving to balance modernization with environmental conservation. Central to the film’s narrative is the Irtysh River, born from the Altai glaciers, which flows through Russia, China, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan. This river has long delivered life-sustaining water to Kazakhstan’s steppes, irrigating farmlands and powering industries. Yet, as the documentary reveals, upstream diversions and glacial retreat now threaten the river's future. Central Asia’s Water Crisis [caption id="attachment_33184" align="aligncenter" width="1536"] Image: TCA, Ilyas Otan[/caption] With Central Asia among the regions most threatened by water shortages, ALTAÏ examines the severe consequences of dwindling resources. Astana, once a Soviet outpost named Tselinograd, has been transformed into a futuristic capital fueled by the nation’s oil and gas wealth. However, this rapid expansion has brought a pressing water deficit. The Ishim River, which runs through the city, can no longer suffice, prompting the construction of the new Astana-Irtysh canal to draw water from the distant Altai region. The documentary highlights alarming findings from hydrologists about the ecological and political pressures weighing on water management in the region. Viewers will see the extensive canal network left by the Soviet Union, such as the Irtysh-Karaganda Canal, and the vital role it continues to play in supporting industrial cities, agriculture, and the survival of the steppes. Exploring the Altai Mountains [caption id="attachment_33185" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Image: TCA, Ilyas Otan[/caption] At the heart of the documentary will be an expedition into the Altai Mountains, a remote massif spanning Kazakhstan, China, and Russia. The mountain range is revered as the “water tower” of the region, yet its glaciers are melting at an alarming rate due to climate change. Guided by Kazakh mountaineers, the crew will travel across high valleys and visit traditional nomadic settlements that depend on the rivers fed by these glaciers. Finally, the team will ascend Mount Belukha, the Altai’s highest peak, to examine the glacial sources of the Irtysh River, capturing breathtaking footage of this territory where the borders of Kazakhstan, China, and Russia converge. Along the way, they will discuss with locals and scientists the geopolitical tensions over water resources, as Chinese development upstream increasingly diverts flow from the Irtysh to fuel its arid regions. Environmental and Geopolitical Themes...

Irrigation Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) International Cooperation Water Management Water crisis IFAS

Central Asia’s Water Crisis

Over 80% of Central Asia’s available water is spent on irrigation, 40% of which is lost during delivery and directly in the fields. Over the coming years, the problem of water shortage will inevitably worsen and with the commission of the Qosh Tepa Canal in Afghanistan, will become chronic from 2028. The stark warning was issued by Evgeny Vinokurov, Eurasian Development Bank’s (EDB) Deputy Chairman of the Board and Chief Economist during the “Water, Energy and Food in Central Asia: Partnerships and Projects for Sustainable Development” session at the EDB 2024 Annual Meeting and Business Forum on 27–28 June in Almaty. The challenges of the Central Asian water and energy complex are too great to be tackled independently by the region’s countries. Historically, Central Asia’s five states have been closely linked by the region’s two largest transboundary rivers, the Amu Darya and the Syr Darya which flow into the Aral Sea basin, home to 80% of the population. Hence, the need for close a intersectoral relationship (nexus) concerning water, energy and food and deep regional cooperation for the effective use of shared water and energy resources to overcome the crisis. At the session, Askhat Orazbai, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, stressed the central role played by IFAS in building essential regional dialogue. The Fund is the only regional organization with membership of all five Central Asian states and according to its mandate, was designed to address the region’s complex water-energy nexus. For over 30 years, the Fund has been the key platform for decisions on water resources management at the highest level. Currently being reformed, the Fund’s full potential will soon be fully unlocked. The session emphasized the urgent need for increased funding to deal with challenges posed by water scarcity. Modernization of the existing irrigation infrastructure is extremely capital-intensive but budgetary funds are inadequate and private investors have shown no interest in the sector. The contribution of multilateral development banks is therefore critical and encouragingly, over recent years, most of the region’s MDBs have given special priority to water projects. The EDB's Chief Economist Vinokurov pointed out that conservation is key to solving the problem of water scarcity. Highlighting the importance of digital accounting and the introduction of effective irrigation technologies, Vinokurov suggested creating a regional cluster of irrigation equipment. Considering that the region spends from $150 million to $300 million annually on the above, the EDB plans to actively support this sector's development. Michael Detlefsen, a UNIDO representative, expressed confidence in the future formation of a regional cluster of irrigation equipment in Central Asia. Over the last two years, the region has seen increased activity from manufacturers from Turkey, China, Israel, and the United States on the organization of local assembly lines. In this regard, the UNIDO representative stressed the importance of working together with the EDB to form such a cluster.

water-saving technology Social Economy Agriculture Access to Clean Water Water crisis

Water Shortages in Kyrgyzstan’s Cities Despite Full Reservoirs

Due to a shortage, Kyrgyz authorities have banned the use of drinking water to irrigate cities' gardens and orchards. Implemented in Bishkek and Osh, the ban which operates during daytime hours, is set to run until the end of the summer. In a report to TCA, Erlan Timurov, chief public relations specialist for Bishkekgorvodokanal, the company in charge of drinking water in Bishkek, stated: "Every year, Bishkekvodokanal produces about 145 million cubic meters of drinking water, around 48m cubic meters of which are lost as a result of illegal connections to our networks and leaks caused by worn-out infrastructure" The situation is similar in southern Kyrgyzstan and in Osh, utility companies in the course of monitoring levels, regularly identify and cut off water supplies to those illegally connected to the system. "The average daily consumption of drinking water in residential areas increases fivefold in summer," explained Timurov. "Most of this increase is spent on watering vegetable gardens and filling swimming pools. As a result, some residents experience water shortages." Ironically, the water deficit is developing against a backdrop of overflowing local reservoirs caused partly by abnormal weather melting mountain glaciers. Under the circumstances, the Tien Shan High Mountain Research Centre at the Institute of Water Problems and Hydropower in Kyrgyzstan blames cities' water shortages on irrational use. "In the 1980s , collective and state farms universally introduced the so-called sprinkler system. Back then, 500 to 1,000 cubic meters of water were required to irrigate one hectare. Today, that has risen to 2 to 3 thousand cubic meters. The problem is that we have lost many technologies and do not know how to use water effectively," claimed the scientific center. Drip irrigation used worldwide, is now being introduced in Kyrgyzstan. However, because it's expensive, the percentage of Kyrgyz farmers using this type of irrigation is extremely small and the majority continue their habit of using drinking water in their fields, gardens, and orchards using outdated irrigation systems .

Water crisis Uzbekistan European Union Education

Uzbekistan, EU Team Up to Train Local Ecology Specialists Amid Central Asia’s Water Crisis

The European Union (EU) Delegation in Uzbekistan has provided financial assistance to modernize the Koshkopyr College of Water Management and Land Reclamation, located in the Khorezm province. The college was renovated within the framework of a project called Development of Employment Skills in Uzbekistan's Rural Areas. As part of the renovation, workshops, classrooms and laboratories have been updated, with wiring and lighting replaced. The renovation of the college started in April 2022 with an allocated budget of more than €1 million, said Dildora Tangriberganova, deputy rector for education and training. "All workshops and training laboratories of the college were modernized and updated. We received 16 new computers and all the furniture necessary for classrooms. We expect to receive equipment for laboratories and workshops soon," Tangriberganova told the Times of Central Asia. The Koshkopir College of Water Resources and Land Reclamation, established in 1989, trains specialists in such areas as hydromelioration (hydrological engineering), vehicle maintenance, animal husbandry, automation and computer science in water management, and other specialties. Currently the college has 221 students. The administration of the educational institution noted that the updated material and technical base will prove helpful for students in mastering their future professions. The joint EU-Uzbekistan rural-development program has been in effect since July 2020. Its goal is to improve education in the agricultural and irrigation spheres. The total budget of the four-year project is €9.6 million. The water crisis remains an acute problem in Central Asian countries, including Uzbekistan, as the landlocked region has no direct access to the world's oceans. Experts believe that in 2030, the volume of freshwater shortage in Uzbekistan will reach 7 billion cubic meters - and by 2050 it will double, according to a report by Gazeta.uz. Farmers consume the most water in the country. At the same time, 40% of water is wasted due to outdated municipal infrastructure. Experts emphasize that in the future, water scarcity will lead to higher prices for food products and increase the risk of diseases spreading.

Water crisis

Uzbek Environmentalists Propose Harnessing Rainwater to Combat Water Crisis

The Ecological Party of Uzbekistan has proposed using collected rainwater as a groundwater supply for the population. The activists plan to develop a corresponding program and submit it to the government for consideration. Rainwater, after appropriate treatment, can be reused for certain purposes. The average person uses about 150 liters of water per day for drinking, bathing, and cleaning, and the party claims that each person can save up to 71 liters of clean drinking water per day by this method. In the context of water scarcity in Central Asia, this sounds more than relevant. After all, over the past 50 years, glaciers in Central Asia have shrunk by about 30%, putting Uzbekistan in 25th place among the 164 countries suffering from "water stress." The population of the five countries in the Central Asian region totals more than 78 million, and by 2050 that number will have grown to 90-100 million people. Water shortages may rise to affect 25-30% of the population. At a meeting of the Uzbek government at the end of 2023, officials said that the country's economy loses $5 billion annually due to inefficient use of water resources. Climate change, shrinking water sources and growing water consumption could lead to a water deficit of 15 billion cubic meters by 2030.