JAPAN INVESTS $3 MLN. IN THE FOREST SECTOR OF KYRGYZSTAN

The agreement was signed by representatives of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the State Agency on Environment Protection and Forestry under the Government of KR. Until present the financial assistance to support forestry was provided by the Swiss Agency for Cooperation and Development.

The program is planned to create a natural resources management based on a trilateral partnership between forestry, municipalities and population living near the forests. Another partner for Japanese has become the National Agency for Local Government.

The primary goal among other objectives of the five-year project is employment of local people in forest management and processing of forest products, without causing damage on the environment. It also plans outreach activities of the idea that welfare of the people depends on preservation, reproduction and protection of forest resources.

Grant money will be used for invitation of Japanese experts, purchase of equipment, payment for education of Kyrgyz specialists in Japan.

Source: CARNet, 21.01.2009

THE WATER VOLUME AT THE TOKTOGUL RESERVOIR

The water volume at the Toktogul reservoir makes 7 billion 849 million cubic meters as of January 20, 2009. Minister of industry, energy and fuel resources Ilyas Davydov told during a governmental meeting under presidency of First Deputy Prime Minister Iskenderbek Aidaraliev.

He told the water volume at the reservoir was 9 billion 862 million cubic meters in 2008.

Presently, the water inflow at the reservoir makes 145 cubic meters per a second, the outflow – 455 cubic meters per a second. Last year, the water inflow was 102 cubic meters per a second, the outflow – 825 cubic meters per a second.

Source: KABAR, 21.01.2009