Every year the water shortage will be felt more and more acutely in the Central Asian region, especially in its downstream countries (Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan); first of all this is due to irrational use of water in all five countries of the region.

A report by the Telegram channel GeoStatistics highlights that Central Asian countries are among the top ten in the world for water consumption.  Central Asian countries reportedly use nearly three times more water for agricultural production compared to developed countries.

The inefficient use of water in agriculture is particularly alarming.  About 50% of irrigated lands in the region suffer from salinization and waterlogging due to inadequate irrigation and drainage systems.  The annual water consumption in Central Asian countries is significant.

Thus, the annual water consumption is:

 

The situation in Tajikistan is not yet as acute as in neighboring countries as about 60% of the water resources of the Aral Sea basin are formed in Tajikistan.  However, a global change in ecosystems has led to significant reductions in glacier areas, which poses threats both for the entire region and for Tajikistan itself.

In Tajikistan, water is used primarily in:

 

The lack of irrigation water carries enormous risks for the countries of the region, including the issues related to food security. 

Meanwhile, with a sufficiently large population growth, the countries of the region still use old technologies for water use, irrigation of farmland, and irrigation of lands, in which a huge amount of water is lost and does not reach its destination.  In addition, with the growth of the population and various economic projects, the consumption of water also increases.

This trend is inherent not only in the Central Asian region – it is a global problem.

The World Bank estimates that the population of the region is poised to grow to 90-110 million by 2050. Continued urbanization, climate change, droughts, and the demand for increased food production will only exacerbate the strain on scarce water resources.

Some experts consider that the Central Asian countries are at the “red line” in terms of the level of water supply for the population, beyond which conflicts begin.

An immediate turn to rational usage of shared water resources on a sustainable, equitable, and cooperative basis is imperative.

Experts from the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) emphasize the urgency of water conservation.  The region's temperature is rising faster than the global average, and glaciers have melted by 30% over the past 50 years.  Most water is used for irrigation, with irrigated lands accounting for 66% of Central Asia's agricultural GDP.  The situation is exacerbated by aging infrastructure, with an average age of 50 years, and significant water losses during filtration due to salinity—up to 40%.

Additionally, the flow of water from the Amu Darya River from Afghanistan is decreasing as the country implements new hydro-engineering projects.

To avoid water shortages, it is proposed that the region annually save 5 billion cubic meters of water, reducing losses by 30% by 2030.

The EDB suggests several measures to address the urgent water issues:

 

  • Establish an International Water and Energy Council: to foster cooperation and manage shared water resources more effectively.
  • Introduce Digital Water Accounting Technologies: to monitor and manage water usage more efficiently.
  • Adopt Modern Land Laser-Leveling Technologies: to optimize water distribution and reduce waste.
  • Expand Cooperation with Afghanistan: to ensure sustainable water management and mitigate the impact of new Afghan hydro projects.
  • Develop a Cluster for Manufacturing Modern Irrigation Equipment: to reduce dependence on imports and improve irrigation efficiency.

 

The significant water consumption in Central Asian countries, coupled with inefficient usage and aging infrastructure, poses a severe challenge as the region's population grows and climate change impacts water resources. The proposed measures by the EDB aim to address these challenges through enhanced cooperation, technological advancements, and strategic conservation efforts. Implementing these measures is crucial for ensuring sustainable water management and preventing severe water shortages in the future.