Taalay Dalbayev, who heads the Department of Water and Land Resources within Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Control, revealed that the water level of Issyk-Kul, the country's largest lake, has receded significantly over the past decade, zakon.kz reports.
"Between 2011 and 2021, the water's edge has retreated by approximately 95cm (3.1ft). This unsettling trend can be attributed to the reduction in the inflow of smaller rivers into the lake, a consequence of the prevailing hot climate. Kyrgyzstan witnesses the presence of numerous dried-up minor rivers, and this summer's scarce rainfall has further exacerbated the situation. Despite having 156 rivers in the Issyk-Kul region, only around 30 of them contribute to the lake's water volume," - explained the Kyrgyz official.
He also discussed the measures being considered to address this challenge. The approach involves the adoption of water-conservation techniques, cultivating crops with lower water requirements, and transitioning to drip irrigation systems.
Earlier in June, Kyrgyzstan initiated the construction of a new urban settlement on the shores of Issyk-Kul. The envisioned "city of the future," named "Asman" (Sky), is projected to be developed within seven to ten years, accommodating a population of 500,000 to 700,000 residents.
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