The Traditional Irrigation Systems of Uzbekistan Social Capital and Implications for Current Successful Management
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University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 2004 Ties that bind: the traditional irrigation systems of Uzbekistan social capital and implications for current successful management Patrick James Conti The University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Conti, Patrick James, "Ties that bind: the traditional irrigation systems of Uzbekistan social capital and implications for current successful management" (2004). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 5830. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/5830 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Maureen and Mike MANSFIELD LIBRARY The University of A Fciiiussiun 15 j^iiiiilt;u by iiic ciuuiui iu icpiuuucc? tins iiiulvilui ni its ciiuiciy, provided mai this material is used for scholarly purposes aud is properly cited in published works and reports. **Please check "Yes" or "No" and provide signature** Yes, I grant pemiission No, I do not grant permission Author's Signature: Date: Any copying for commercial purposes or financial gain may be undertaken 8/98 THE TIES THAT BIND: THE TRADITIONAL IRRIGATION SYSTEMS OF UZBEKISTAN, SOCIAL CAPITAL, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR CURRENT, SUCCESSFUL MANAGEMENT by Patrick James Conti B.S. The Evergreen State College, 2000 presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts The University of Montana December 2004 ►rovedJay: Chairperson Dean, Graduate School (7 - 2q - o 4 Date UMI Number: EP36631 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMT DirnmmmamAAIWiinQ UMI EP36631 Published by ProQuest LLC (2013). Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLÇ. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code ProOuesf ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106 -1346 Conti, Patrick J. M.A., December 2004 Geography The Ties that Bind: The Traditional Irrigation Systems of Uzbekistan, Social Capital, and Implications for Current, Successful Management Chairperson: Jeffrey A. Gritzner The 2002 government-mandated formation of water user associations across Uzbekistan has greatly transformed water management in the country. Such a transfer in management is only capable of happening with a large stock of social capital to facilitate cooperative management. In order to assess the potential for successful management of water by the water users, this study examines traditional water rights and land tenure, modes of water management, and the operations and maintenance of the irrigation system. The degree to which social capital was present in the system is evaluated by looking at the following functions: decision making, resource mobilization, coordination and communication, and conflict resolution. Through examining the historical accounts by visitors to the region, it becomes clear that social capital played a major role in the success of the traditional irrigation systems. Decision making was locally based, and the knowledge and the ideas of the farmers were respected and taken into account. Resource mobilization happened through both intra- and inter-village cooperation. By connecting water rights to maintenance, not only was free riding not an option, but also, networks were developed and fortified through collective action each spring. Coordination and communication occurred through formal and informal networks that allowed information to travel in both directions vertically as well as horizontally. Conflict resolution occurred at the scale in which the problems developed. Most conflicts were resolved through consensus. The networks and trust that facilitated the successful management of water in the traditional communities of Central Asia have been squandered by changes instituted first by the Russians and then the Soviets. Changes in the economy and a shift from small to large-scale farming have served to diminish social capital. Technical and legal reforms will not work without representative, open and responsive communities. As such, the adoption of water user associations must involve the development of households and villages independent of the legacy of collective and state farms in the countryside. 11 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The work represented in this thesis is largely contributable to the efforts and assistance of many. First and foremost, I would like to thank Dr. Jeffrey Gritzner for always being available and for his wealth of knowledge on all things water and Central Asia. I would also like to thank Dr. Sarah Halvorson for her patience, assistance, and critique in the formation and execution of this study. These professors always made time for me, and I greatly appreciate their generosity. At the same time, numerous individuals from friends to colleagues have also made invaluable contributions. Thanks especially to Nancy Forman-Ebel, the interlibrary loan staff at The University of Montana, Malik Hodjaev, Luke Potoski, and Bahodir ibn-Bolta. Thanks also to the faculty members of The University of Montana Geography Department for their knowledge, support, and encouragement. Finally, I would like to,acknowledge the contribution of many great friends in Missoula and elsewhere, and the unwavering love and support of my parents. This work was supported by contributions from the Yamaguchi Foundation, the Social Science Research Council, and The University of Montana. Ill CONTENTS LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.................................................................................. vii Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION......................................................................................... 1 Background ................................. 2 Literature R ev iew ...................................................................... 6 Purpose ..................................................................................... 19 Methodology ............................................................................ 20 2. THE ARAL SEA TRAGEDY: CAUSES, EFFECTS AND RESPONSES................................................................... 23 Effects from the Desiccation of the Aral S e a ........................... 24 Causes of the D esiccation .......................................................... 30 Trends in Amelioration Efforts ................................................. 37 Conclusion ............................................................................... 41 3. LAND TENURE AND WATER RIGHTS.............................................. 44 Uzbeks and the Development of Khiva, Bukhara and K okand ....................................................... 46 Problems and Shortcomings in Understanding Land Tenure in Transoxiana........................................... 50 Shari a, Odat and Land T e n u re ................................................. 53 Traditional Land Tenure in the K hanates .................................. 57 Water R ights............................................................................... 68 Effects of Cotton and the Emergence of a Cash Economy................................................................ 69 Changes to Tenure under the Bolsheviks .................................. 73 IV Chapter Page 3. continued Land Tenure since Independence.............................................. 78 Conclusion.................................................................................. 81 4. CHANGES AND PERCEPTIONS TO THE MANAGEMENT OF WATER IN UZBEKISTAN...................................................................... 85 The Administration and Power of the K h an ............................... 89 Hierarchy of the Administration................................................. 92 Land and Water Taxes in the K hanates..................................... 95 Water Management in the Khanates........................................... 101 Redrawing the Boundaries to Water Management under the Soviets ............................................................. 110 Changes to Management since Independence............................ 114 Conclusion.................................................................................. 116 5. OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE OF THE IRRIGATION SYSTEM AND AGRICULTURE..................... 119 Technology and Operations Prior to the Arrival of die Russians................................................................ 122 Maintenance of the Traditional S y stem..................................... 130 Major Disruptions to the Traditional S y stem............................ 134 The Irrigation System since Independence............................... 144 Conclusion ............................................................................... 147 6. SOCIAL CAPITAL AND LAND AND WATER REFO RM ..............