In a meeting focused on the socio-economic development of the Surxondaryo region, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed concerns over the impending decrease in the flow of the Amudarya and Syrdarya rivers by 15% over the next two decades. The president highlighted the urgency of addressing water-related challenges and emphasized the need for a collective effort to instill the idea that "water is not free" in the population.
Despite ongoing efforts to implement water-saving technologies, authorities highlighted that current measures are insufficient to mitigate the impending crisis. Notably, 80% of the land in Surxondaryo relies on irrigation through pumps. However, a concerning aspect is that the service life of 52 pumps exceeds 40 years, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
The consequences of outdated infrastructure are stark, with the cost of water doubling, and an estimated 20 mn kilowatt hours of electricity wasted annually. Furthermore, the deteriorating state of the pumps has resulted in a decline in water supply for an additional 20,000 hectares of land.
Another critical issue addressed in the meeting is the loss of 35% of water due to the deterioration of half of the 1,700-kilometer irrigation network, covered with soil.
President Mirziyoyev emphasized the need to instill the understanding that "water is not free" among the population, advocating for a cultural shift toward responsible water usage. The president stressed the importance of involving neighborhood activists, intellectuals, and the general public in promoting this idea as a daily life rule.
"The main task should be to inculcate the idea that 'water is not free' in the population, to turn it into a rule of daily life together with neighborhood activists, intellectuals, and the general public," Shavkat Mirziyoyev voiced.
In response to the urgent situation, officials have been instructed to develop a comprehensive two-year program. This program includes plans to concrete 47 canals, repair 6 canals with significant water loss, and restore 90,000 hectares of land. To fund the repair of the critical Sherobod canal, the government aims to attract $60mn next year.
Earlier the president also emphasized the significant achievement of delivering clean drinking water from the "Topalang" reservoir to not only the city of Termiz but also to 11 surrounding districts. He highlighted the enduring struggle for more than a million oasis residents who have long aspired for access to clean drinking water. With the successful completion of this project, a remarkable milestone will be reached, providing 24-hour access to clean drinking water for a staggering 2 mn people.
Water Crisis
Water-related issues in Uzbekistan are largely influenced by its geographical location, climate, and agricultural practices. The Aral Sea, which was once one of the world's largest inland seas, has been shrinking for decades due to water diversion for irrigation purposes, mainly for cotton cultivation. This has led to severe environmental and socio-economic consequences, including the emergence of a new and increasingly arid landscape.
Efforts to address the water crisis in Uzbekistan involve a combination of policy reforms, investments in modern irrigation technologies, and international cooperation. The government and various organizations have been working to improve water management practices, promote water conservation, and address the environmental degradation caused by the shrinking of the Aral Sea.
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