On January 24, environmentalists and human rights activists are sounding the alarm over the potential environmental and social impacts of the Rogun hydroelectric power station project on the Vakhsh River in the Amu Darya basin. The international environmental coalition Rivers without Boundaries is urging leading international development banks, considering financial support for the project, to conduct public discussions on the updated environmental assessment.
The coalition, along with other environmental and human rights associations in Central Asia, is calling for inclusive discussions not only in Tajikistan but also in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. They emphasize the importance of involving all interested public and scientific organizations to ensure a comprehensive review of proposals, comments, and identified shortcomings in the new project.
The appeal draws attention to the outdated Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) materials used in 2014 and highlights the need for a new assessment considering changes in natural, climatic, socio-economic, and administrative-legal conditions.
The Rogun hydroelectric power station project involves blocking the Vakhsh River with a 335-meter dam, creating a reservoir with significant social and environmental risks. The coalition points out that the potential transboundary impacts of the project need comprehensive regional discussions, which are currently lacking.
The Rogun project, estimated to require over $6 bn, is under consideration for financial support from international development banks, including the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The coalition calls for transparent discussions and emphasizes the need to address the concerns of affected communities and ensure a thorough and updated environmental assessment.
Earlier Daryo reported that on December 4, 2023, the Tajikistan government and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia government, represented by the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), inked a loan agreement, securing $100 million to advance the completion of the Roghun hydropower plant.
The environmental coalition Rivers without Boundaries was formed in 2009 and aims to protect transboundary rivers and promote best practices in river basin management. The organization has branches in Mongolia and Central Asian countries, including the public foundation "Shekarasyz Ozender" (Rivers Without Borders), based in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
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