Water problems in Uzbekistan and expected consequences. Conversation with a Hydrologist
It is no secret that water related problems in Central Asia, in particular in Uzbekistan, are not only regional, but also global. Deep scientific research is being carried out on this issue, among them there are Uzbek scientists. Abror Gafurov is one of the scientists who devoted his research to the problems of water in Central Asia. Kun.uz correspondent contacted the scientist and asked his opinion on water problems and their solutions.
“$ 25 million has been allocated to study water problems in Central Asia.”
- Tell us a little about yourself and the SAWa project.
- In 2002, I graduated from the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers; I continued my education for a master's degree in Germany. In 2005, I worked on a project under the Ministry of Water Resources of Uzbekistan. After that, I returned to Germany to study for doctoral studies. After receiving my doctorate, I started working on the SAWa (Water in Central Asia) project and have been working on it for almost 10 years now. I am currently the leader of this project. Over the past period, about 25 million US dollars were allocated to the project.
The project is implemented by the German Center for Earth Research (Geosciences). The center in the field of land, environment and water resources employs more than 1000 scientists. I also lecture to students at Humboldt University in Berlin and am a water consultant to the World Bank.
The objectives of the project include the formation of water resources in Central Asia, determining the degree of their use, how long they will last, when and what problems may arise, and measures to eliminate them. We conduct many scientific studies of glaciers and precipitation in the mountains of Uzbekistan.
In recent years, we have also been studying groundwater, because Central Asia has a very large groundwater base. We are also working on issues such as determining how much we have spent and what opportunities we have.
- Is it necessary to rely on scientific achievements in the field of optimal use of water resources?
- For the further development of Uzbekistan, great tasks are being set, we can say that the solution of water problems is in the first place. Seventy percent of the water is used by people for agriculture.
The most productive part of the land is irrigated. And they are watered according to the old watering method. More than 70 percent of all available freshwater resources are used for agricultural purposes. However, as a result of inefficient operation of irrigation systems, 60 percent of this water evaporates or returns to rivers and underground waters.
On the other hand, due to the limited amount of water in the region and the steady population growth, the problem can only worsen if water use remains unchanged.
In addition, observations show that climate change will increase water scarcity in the region.
All this requires a scientific approach to water issues. We must use water resources at the optimum level. It is necessary to change the attitude towards nature.
Source: kun.uz