Comparison of practices

Use of water resources

Use of water resources

Country: Kyrgyzstan

Country: Uzbekistan

Province: Andijan Region

Transboundary river

Uzbekistan’s section of the Fergana Valley; the Kara Darya River Basin

Start date: 01.04.2012

End date: 31.10.2016

Start date: 01.01.2001

End date: 31.12.2012

Imperfections of the water management mechanism in the Isfara small transboundary river basin

1. Prior to the implementation of the IWRM-Fergana Project, SFMC was managed based on the territorial principle by 3 water management organizations (WMOs): Andizhan Regional Water Administration, Operation Department of the Main Fergana Trunk Canal, and Fergana Regional Water Administration.
2. On the borders between regions and districts (especially between Andizhan and Fergana Regions (Polvontosh Hydro Section)) frequent water distribution related conflicts took place;
3. The quality of water management (uniformity, stability and efficiency of water supply) was poor.

The principle of stakeholder engagement in decision-making associated with water management of small transboundary river; IWRM planning technique

The hydro-graphic principle of main trunk canal management

The Aspara River originates in the Western Tien Shan on the territory of Kyrgyzstan and flows northwards crossing the border with Kazakhstan.  The river’s total length exceeds 44 km, and its catchment area amounts to approximately 66 km².  The Aspara River Basin is located in Chu Region in Kyrgyzstan’s northwest and Jambyl Region in Southern Kazakhstan.  The basin is shared by several different ethnicities where they live and work.  The basin’s population is rapidly growing, and the agriculture is developing.  In many places along the course of the river, especially in its lower streams, the water doesn't meet quality and sanitary standards.  Liquid waste produced by the population, industry and livestock production as well as solid waste constitute major sources of environmental pollution.

Project efforts were carried out in Jambyl Region of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Chu Region of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Actions:

Establishment of 2 stakeholder groups, i.e. Small Basin Councils (SBC) – on both Kazakhstan’s and Kyrgyzstan’s sides of the river – representing local authorities, NGOs, water users and local communities.  The SBCs already held 6 joint meetings proving the value of SBCs as platforms to exchange opinions and information as well as take joint decisions on enhancing the overall situation in the basin.

In addition, hydrometric posts were reconstructed and underwent certification, and the automated water distribution and accounting system was installed on the Mailybai Canal. The water supply system in the village of Cholok-Aryk also underwent reconstructed.  A demo-site to demonstrate drip irrigation equipment and technology was established on the premises of Ravshan Farm receiving its irrigation water via the Mailybai Canal.

Results:

Thus, the creation of national Small Basin Councils (SBC) on the Aspara River ensured a platform for exchanging opinions and information as well as joint decision-making to improve the overall situation in the Aspara River Basin, including the development of the IWRM basin-specific plan.

Actions:

Instead of 3 WMOs established based on the territorial-administrative principle, one organization (Administration of the Southern Fergana Main Canal, ASFMC) was created on the basis of the hydro-graphic principle.  ASFMC is fully responsible for maintenance and operation of the SFMC from the point of water intake to the very end of the canal (see figures).

 Results:

 Transition to the hydro-graphic principle of establishing WMOs allowed to do the following:

• sharply decrease the number of water conflicts on the borders between regions and districts;
• enhance the uniformity (fairness) of water resources distribution;
• enhance the stability of water supply;
• reduce organizational losses.

Lessons learnt:

Introduction of IWRM principles is the pre-requisite of stable and fair water supply irrespective of a given water user’s location.

Recommendations:

Currently, when local stakeholders are represented in SBCs and are engaged in joint water management, it is necessary to continue the capacity-building efforts to build-up SBCs’ efficiency.  In the long term, it might be necessary and possible to establish a joint body to manage the whole Aspara River Basin shared by Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Lessons learnt:

1. Transition to the hydro-graphic principle of establishing WMOs constitutes an institutional tool of improving the quality of water management as it allows implementing a more objective and fair water management policy less dependent on local authorities;
2. Local authorities are not interested in transiting to the hydro-graphic principle and demonstrate resistance to the process.

Recommendations:

Transition to the hydro-graphic principle should be preceded by the following:

1. comprehensive analysis of water allocation issues along the target main canal;
2. training aimed at educating water-related personnel and decision-makers on integrated water resources management (IWRM).

Foreign tools (transfer of foreign experience)

• Traditional approaches that had been applied in water management earlier;
• International project (transfer of foreign experience).

1. Cost of implementation: High

2. Approximate cost of investment per 1 ha:

3. O&M costs: High

4. Expert support: Not needed

1. Cost of implementation: High

2. Approximate cost of investment per 1 ha:

3. O&M costs: High

4. Expert support: Not needed

Development and implementation of basin plans constitute principal elements of integrated water resources management.  Multi-agency coordination mechanism via basin councils or coordination groups is an important advantage of IWRM.  This approach allows streamlined coordination and synergy of actions on all levels of management hierarchy.

Project title: Stakeholder partnership in joint policy-making: assistance to transboundary cooperation in small watersheds of Central Asia.

Project duration: Apr 2012-Oct 2016

Project goal and objectives: introduction of the integrated water resources management (IWRM) practice in three transboundary watersheds and its scaling-up in Central Asia.

Project beneficiaries: communities of the Aspara small transboundary river basin, specialists of water and environmental agencies, farmers.

Project implementer: USAID/CAREC.

Project title: Integrated Water Resources Management in the Fergana Valley (IWRM-Fergana).

Project duration: Jan 01, 2001-Dec 31, 2012 (12 years).

Project goal and objectives: overall project goal was “to contribute to safer living, environmental sustainability and wide social harmony, to support rural restructuring in Central Asian countries by enhancing water resources management based on the example of the Ferghana Valley”.

Project beneficiaries: water users and water consumers within the project site.

Project implementer: Head Water Administration Office of the MAWM of the RUz jointly with ICWC SIC/IWMI

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