Kazakhstan has set a goal to reduce its water dependency on neighboring countries by 25%, Cabar Asia reported. Currently, 46% of the nation's water, a significant 102.3 cubic meters, is sourced from neighboring states. To achieve this reduction, Kazakhstan initiated the construction of nine new reservoirs at the end of 2023 as part of the Comprehensive Plan to Develop the Water Industry for 2024-2030.
However, experts are skeptical about the effectiveness of this strategy. Dmitry Kalmykov, a hydrogeologist, pointed out the lack of systematic analysis in addressing water issues. He cautioned against the blind restoration of reservoirs, emphasizing that their impact on the environment and local communities needs careful consideration.
“According to the dependency reduction plan, we are going to build and restore reservoirs. Back in the Soviet period, thousands of them had been built and abandoned, and many of them had fallen into disrepair. Now money is spent to restore the reservoirs. But they were built in a different country, with different conditions. It is not always reasonable to restore reservoirs,” Dmitry Kalmykov voiced.
International environmental policy expert Bulat Yesekin compared reservoirs to thrombi in human arteries, asserting that developed countries in Europe, and the United States, are now dismantling such structures. He stressed the importance of restoring natural river flows for long-term water supply and climate conservation.
“Now developed countries restore natural flows of rivers, lakes and wetlands. Natural river regimes are the most reliable basis for long-term water supply of economy and people, recovery of water cycles necessary to conserve the climate,” Yesekin noted.
While the government's plan focuses on infrastructure, experts like Aidar Amrebaev argue for addressing domestic water inefficiency first. Implementing accurate water metering, adopting digital technologies for optimal resource use, and converting earth canals to pipeline systems are suggested measures to enhance water conservation.
As per Dmitry Kalmykov, reducing dependency on other countries for water in Kazakhstan requires addressing domestic inefficiencies in water resource management. Central Asian states, including Kazakhstan, are noted for wasteful water use despite the arid region. Kalmykov emphasizes the need for cultural changes to preserve natural resources. Political analyst Aidar Amrebaev suggests improving water metering in households, gradually including investment costs in tariffs, counteracting salinization in irrigated areas, converting canals to pipelines, and implementing digital technologies for optimal water resource utilization and loss reduction.
Financial analyst Arman Beisembaev expresses skepticism about the likelihood of reducing water dependency on other countries. He notes a lack of awareness among the public regarding the details of the plan for the development of the water industry in Kazakhstan for 2024-2030. Beisembaev suggests the necessity of collaboration with neighboring states, citing a UN report warning of potential wars in Central Asia over water. He advocates for economic cooperation, proposing trade preferences and discounts on resources in exchange for water.
Political analyst Aidar Amrebaev highlighted the importance of regional collaboration, given that seven out of eight water reservoirs supplying Kazakhstan are transboundary. The region faces a water shortage of nearly 12 cubic kilometers per year by 2028, as per EDB’s (Eurasian Development Bank) estimations. The ongoing global climate change requires a reduction in water losses by 2.5% annually, with the goal of achieving 35% water savings in the region by 2035.
Bulat Yesekin agrees, calling for a detailed analysis of "water diplomacy" and a shift in the perception of benefits to avoid ecological disasters and conflicts. Yesekin advocates for the creation of mechanisms for joint management and the equitable distribution of risks and benefits. He warns that continuing with current policies could lead to collapse, causing ecological disasters similar to the one experienced by the Aral Sea. Yesekin urges a change in the perception of benefits and approaches to prevent disasters, forced migration, conflicts, and wars.
Despite the challenges, experts agree that a shift in perception and approaches is essential to prevent ecological disasters and conflicts over water resources in the future. The ongoing global climate change adds urgency to the need for sustainable water management practices.
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