On the International Day of Actions in Defense of Rivers and Against Dams, concerns are mounting over the potential exacerbation of the water crisis in Central Asia due to the construction of new dams. The Ecological Coalition of Rivers without Boundaries (Rivers Without Borders) has issued a stark warning, highlighting the adverse ecological consequences that could unfold if current development plans proceed unchecked.
As per environmentalists, if all proposed dam projects and irrigation channels are realized, Central Asia could face a water-ecological crisis within the next decade or two. Key projects such as the Kambaratinsky hydroelectric station reservoirs and the Naryn River cascades in Kyrgyzstan are poised to intensify water drainage, disrupting natural ecosystems and water management practices.
Of particular concern are plans for hydroelectric power stations within the Besh-Aral reserve in Kyrgyzstan, which threaten to dismantle the delicate ecosystem of the Chatkal River, a UNESCO-designated site in the "Western Tien-Shan" region. Additionally, the construction of the Rogun hydroelectric power station in Tajikistan poses a substantial risk to the agricultural and ecological balance of the Amu Darya delta.
The proliferation of irrigation systems in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, coupled with Afghanistan's Qosh Tepa channel project, further strains water resources in the region. Moreover, the unchecked development of numerous small-scale hydroelectric power stations across Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan adds to the fragmentation and depletion of river systems, disrupting natural hydrological cycles.
Eugene Simonov, International Coordinator of Rivers Without Borders, underscores the lack of comprehensive assessment of the cumulative impact of these projects, emphasizing the need for a strategic environmental evaluation. He warns that failure to consider the aggregate effects could magnify the negative consequences on Central Asia's residents.
Alexander Kolotov, Coordinator of Rivers Without Borders in Central Asia, foresees dire consequences if the region continues to prioritize hydropower development over alternative energy sources. He warns that a large-scale water crisis may prompt drastic measures, including revisiting the controversial idea of diverting northern Siberian rivers or transitioning to atomic energy generation.
“A large-scale water crisis due to the total hydropower development of river systems in Central Asia will inevitably lead to the use of even more radical means of its resolution. You can predict both the next return to the Soviet idea of the transfer of the northern Siberian river and the rejection of the unreliable and discredited hydropower in favor of atomic generation for the entire region,” Alexander Kolotov voiced.
Critically, environmentalists highlight the overreliance on hydropower at the expense of diversifying energy sources, creating a precarious path toward a regional water crisis. The potential financing of these projects by international development banks further complicates efforts to avert the impending ecological disaster.
The Ecological Coalition "Rivers Without Borders" is at the forefront of efforts to protect transboundary rivers and advocate for sustainable river basin management. With branches across the region, including in Kazakhstan and Mongolia, the coalition remains committed to preserving the ecological integrity of Central Asia's rivers for future generations.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Twitter pages to keep current on world news.
Comments (0)