Water Problems in Central Asia

Abstract

We review water-related issues in Central Asia’s Syr Darya and Amu Darya River basins as seen in changes in water management and climatic trends. We start by clarifying these problems in basins that are basically in an arid region where water circumstances as a source is unstable and water rights and use among riparian countries are highly discrepant. Results of the exami-nations on water management clarified 4 major issues: (1) problems affecting countries downstream, such as water shortages in summer and artificial flood damage in winter; (2) problem of irrigation water distribution in the Fergana Valley; (3) the salinization of farmland in middle and lower riparian reaches; and (4) deteri-oration in Aral Sea and neighboring ecosystems due to drastically lowered water levels. An analysis of the impact of climate change on local hydrological systems pointed up potential new indications: (5) trends in global warming triggering earlier snow melts and floods; and (6) trend in the warming prompting earlier vegetative activity. We conclude by recommend-ing concrete measures for appropriate irrigation and better water management.