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on the use of water, land and energy resources,
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Comparison of practices

Название практики Increasing water availability of pastures by constructing sardobas Restoration of irrigation infrastructure in mountainous regions of Kyrgyzstan
Category Water resources Water resources
Tool System for enhancing water availability Restoration of water management infrastructure
Field of application
  • Use of water resources
  • Use of land resources
  • Environmental protection
Usability of practice for adaptation to climate change Moderate Moderate
Implemented by Ministry of Nature Conservation of Turkmenistan
Mountain Societies Development Support Programme Kyrgyzstan (MSDSP KG) on the initiative of Aga Khan Foundation
Used by

Country: Turkmenistan

Country: Kyrgyzstan

Province: Osh Region

District: Nookat District

Local specifics

17,238 ha of barkhan (sand dune), takyr (dry-type playa) and solonchak (moist-type playa) sites of the Kara Kum Desert; deep ground water occurrence

The northeastern part of Osh Region lies in the Tien Shan spurs (Fergana Range) with the Pamir-Altai Mountains in the south and west (Turkestan, Alai, Trans-Alai (Lenin Peak) Ridges.  The climate in the region is sharp continental.  The Kyzyl-Suu, Ak-Buura and Kara Darya are the largest rivers in the area used for irrigation.

Practice usage period

Start date: 01.01.2012

End date: 31.12.2016

Start date: 01.01.2013

End date: 31.12.2016

Problem solved through this practice

Desertification and decreased productivity of desert pastures due to over-grazing around existing cattle watering sites

Conflicts due to disputes over water resources and pastures

Tools used in the practice

Technology of building sardobas (stone-dome covered water collection and storage reservoirs) to enhance pasture water supply

Repair works to restore irrigation networks and infrastructure

Description of the practice and its results

Main actions:

  • mudflow and flood risk assessment and surveying local population regarding sardobas’ locations.

Actions:

  • selection of takyrs to construct sardobas jointly with local cattle-farmers;
  • construction of sardobas jointly with local cattle-farmers;
  • cleaning takyr surfaces.

Results:

  • pastures that were not previously utilized due to absence of water sources returned to pasture rotation;
  • pastures destroyed due to over-grazing started to restore;
  • increased herd productivity due to reduced passage distances and higher fodder value of pastures.

Disputes over water resources and pastures can lead to conflicts, in particular among the communities living in border zones in the Fergana Valley.  Every year, this urgent issue gains even more relevance as - according to expert forecasts – by 2020 Kyrgyzstan’s population may reach 7 mln 70% of which will live in rural communities.

Actions:

The project to rehabilitate irrigation canals aimed to improve access to water resources and pastures for local residents.  The project also promoted introduction of equal-right practices in the sphere of water resources and pastures management among local population.  All project actions targeted the improvement of living conditions of local residents and decreasing tensions.

Results:

On June 8, 2016, Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) and Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) held the ceremonial opening of 5 repaired irrigation canals in Nookat District of Osh Region.  Repair works to rehabilitate the irrigation canals were co-funded by Nookat District Water Management Administration, ajyl aimaks (Kyrg. rural local governance bodies) and local residents themselves.

Financial and economic:

  • residents of Nookat District, nearby villages of Aravan District and the town of Kyzyl-Kiya gained access to irrigation water;
  • farmer incomes grew thanks to addressing the issue of irrigation water shortage.

Environmental:

The condition of over 4,000 ha (irrigated land) improved.

Technical results:

The total length of all repaired irrigation canals exceeded 10,900 meters.

Social results:

  • living conditions of local residents improved;
  • tensions associated with the use of water and pastures in Fergana Valley border zones decreased.
Lessons learnt and recommendations made

Lessons learnt:

Construction of sardobas in takyr areas allows enhancing pasture water supply, thus, leading to the restoration of over-grazed pastures.

Recommendations:

The practice requires long-term planning and an integrated response with the early-on engagement of desertification experts (designing a set of measures to protect takyrs from sand drifts), state agencies (technical assistance) and pasture users (observance of pasture rotation schemes, prevention of takyrs from contamination and pollution).

Lessons learnt:

Repair and restoration of irrigation infrastructure facilitated the improvement of living conditions among local population, decreased tensions and disputes associated with water and pasture use in border zones of the Fergana Valley, and enhanced farmer welfare.

Recommendations:

The practice yielded positive outcomes and is recommended for further scaling-up to improve the welfare and ensure sustainable development of mountain communities in border zones.

Source of practice

Traditional tools transferred from generation to generation that proved their efficiency in modern conditions

Foreign tools (transfer of foreign experience)

Readiness for implementation

1. Cost of implementation: Low

2. Approximate cost of investment per 1 ha: $1,000-5,000

3. O&M costs: Low

4. Expert support: Needed at implementation stage

1. Cost of implementation: High

2. Approximate cost of investment per 1 ha:

3. O&M costs: High

4. Expert support: Not needed

Brief information on the project

Project title: Responding to climate change risks for dekhan farming system of Turkmenistan on national and local levels.

Project duration: 2012-2016. 

Project goal and objectives: build the adaptation capacity to respond to climate change impacts, including variability on local and national levels. 

Project beneficiaries: Bori Settlement (over 1,100 people) and Bo-Kurdak Settlement (about 4,500 people).

Project implementer: Ministry of Nature Conservation and UNDP

Project title: Improving infrastructure and building capacity of relevant local institutes on effective management of water and pasture resources.

Project duration: 2013-2016.

Project goal and objectives: enhance welfare and ensure sustainable development of mountain communities, prevent conflicts, facilitate stability and security of using natural resources in border zones.

Scale of implementation and project beneficiaries: populations of Nookat and Aravan Districts, town of Kyzyl-Kiya.

Project implementer: Mountain Societies Development Support Programme Kyrgyzstan (MSDSP KG).

Funding source Government of Turkmenistan, Adaptation Facility Aga Khan Foundation and the UK Embassy in Kyrgyzstan
Information sources

tm.undp.org

Mountain Partnership Member News (www.ekois.net)

Contacts of a person, who filled this form

SIC ICWC

SIC ICWC

Form submission date 04.04.2018 18.05.2018

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