Regional Power Transmission Project: Initial Environmental

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Regional Power Transmission Project: Initial Environmental ADB Power Transmission Line Project TA 7370-TAJ INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION Regional Power Rehabilitation Tajikistan 220 kV Geran – Rumi 220 kV Kayrakum – Asht New Substation Geran Submitted to Asian Development Bank February 2010 by Magnus A. Staudte Dr. Malika Babadjanova Power Transmission Enhancement Azerenergy Initial Environmental Examination Table of Contents I. Executive Summary ______________________________________________________________ 1 I.1 Project Description and Scope of IEE ___________________________________________________ 1 I.2 Project Locations ____________________________________________________________________ 1 I.3 Policy and Statutory Requirements in Tajikistan__________________________________________ 2 I.4 Scale of the project___________________________________________________________________ 2 I.5 Description of the Environment ________________________________________________________ 3 I.6 Impact Assessment and Mitigation Measures _____________________________________________ 3 I.7 EMMP Implementation Organization ___________________________________________________ 4 I.8 EMMP Reporting____________________________________________________________________ 6 I.9 Public Consultation Process ___________________________________________________________ 7 I.10 Grievance Redress Mechanism ______________________________________________________ 7 I.11 Summary and Conclusions __________________________________________________________ 7 II. Introduction __________________________________________________________________ 8 II.1 Overview_________________________________________________________________________ 8 II.2 Background ______________________________________________________________________ 9 II.3 Scope of the IEE Study and Personnel _______________________________________________ 10 II.4 Policy and Statutory Requirements in Tajikistan ______________________________________ 11 General _______________________________________________________________________________________ 11 Country Policies and Administrative Framework_______________________________________________________ 11 Legal framework for EA, environmental licensing and permitting _________________________________________ 13 Local Environmental Statutes______________________________________________________________________ 15 Asian Development Bank Safeguard Policies 2009 _____________________________________________________ 16 II.5 Structure of Report _______________________________________________________________ 18 III. Description of the Project ______________________________________________________ 18 III.1 Type of Project___________________________________________________________________ 18 III.2 Categorization of the Project _______________________________________________________ 18 III.3 Need for the Project_______________________________________________________________ 19 III.4 Location and Scale of Project _______________________________________________________ 20 Transmission lines ______________________________________________________________________________ 20 Construction Process Transmission Lines ____________________________________________________________ 24 Substation Geran________________________________________________________________________________ 24 III.5 Alternatives _____________________________________________________________________ 25 III.6 Proposed Schedule for Implementation_______________________________________________ 25 IV. Description of the Environment _________________________________________________ 26 IV.1 Project Area _____________________________________________________________________ 26 General Characteristics of Project Area ______________________________________________________________ 26 Affected Administrative Units _____________________________________________________________________ 26 IV.2 Physical Resources________________________________________________________________ 28 Topography, Geology, and Soils ___________________________________________________________________ 28 Climate and Hydrology___________________________________________________________________________ 30 Ambient Air Quality and Noise ____________________________________________________________________ 35 IV.3 Ecological Resources ______________________________________________________________ 35 i Power Transmission Enhancement Azerenergy Initial Environmental Examination Vegetation_____________________________________________________________________________________ 35 Fauna North and South Route______________________________________________________________________ 37 Wildlife Sanctuaries _____________________________________________________________________________ 39 Wetlands in the Project Area ______________________________________________________________________ 39 IV.4 Social and Cultural Resources ______________________________________________________ 40 Population, Communities and Employment North Route_________________________________________________ 40 Population, Communities and Employment South Route_________________________________________________ 42 Cultural Heritage _______________________________________________________________________________ 44 V. Screening Potential Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures__________________ 45 V.1 Project Location__________________________________________________________________ 45 Impact Assessment and Mitigation__________________________________________________________________ 45 General Approach to Mitigation ____________________________________________________________________ 46 Cultural Heritage, Religious Sites, Social Infrastructure _________________________________________________ 46 Cut and fill ____________________________________________________________________________________ 46 V.2 Potential Environmental Impacts ___________________________________________________ 47 Encroachment, Landscape and Physical Disfiguration___________________________________________________ 47 Trees, Ecology and Protected Areas _________________________________________________________________ 50 Hydrology, Sedimentation, Soil Erosion _____________________________________________________________ 51 Air Pollution from earthworks and transport __________________________________________________________ 51 Noise, Vibration and Blasting______________________________________________________________________ 51 Air pollution, noise and electric and magnetic fields from operations _______________________________________ 52 Sanitation, Solid Waste Disposal, Communicable Diseases_______________________________________________ 52 Disease Vectors ________________________________________________________________________________ 53 Pollution from oily run-off, fuel spills and dangerous goods ______________________________________________ 53 VI. Institutional Requirements & Environmental Management Plan ______________________ 53 VI.1 Institutional Responsibilities________________________________________________________ 53 VI.2 EMMP Implementation ___________________________________________________________ 54 VI.3 EMMP Implementation Organization and Costs_______________________________________ 55 Implementation Organization ______________________________________________________________________ 55 Implementation Organization and Costs______________________________________________________________ 57 VI.4 EMMP Costs ____________________________________________________________________ 59 VI.5 EMMP Reporting ________________________________________________________________ 61 VII. Public Consultation and Information Disclosure ___________________________________ 63 VII.1 Approach to Public Consultation____________________________________________________ 63 VII.2 Public Consultation Process ________________________________________________________ 63 VII.3 Results of Public Consultation ______________________________________________________ 66 VII.4 Grievance Redress Mechanism _____________________________________________________ 66 VIII. Conclusions _______________________________________________________________ 68 VIII.1 Findings and Recommendations __________________________________________________ 68 VIII.2 Summary and Conclusions_______________________________________________________ 68 Attachment 1: Proposed Handling and Disposal of PCB from Transformers ___________________ 70 Attachment 2: Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan ___________________________ 72 ii Power Transmission Enhancement Azerenergy Initial Environmental Examination Tables and Figures Table 1: Summary of kind of impacts and mitigation goals ____________________________________________________ 3 Table 2: Summary of institutional organization and responsibilities on EMMP implementation________________________ 5 Table 3: Total EMMP Costs _____________________________________________________________________________ 6 Table 4: Main characteristics of the climate in COI area, North Route __________________________________________ 32 Table 5: Main characteristics of the climate in COI area, South Route __________________________________________ 33 Table 6: Population__________________________________________________________________________________ 40 Table 7: Education __________________________________________________________________________________ 41 Table 8: Poverty and sources of income __________________________________________________________________ 41 Table 9: Public Services ______________________________________________________________________________
Recommended publications
  • CBD Strategy and Action Plan
    Biological Diversity of Tajikistan 1.2.2. Specific diversity For thousands of years, people of Tajiki- stan lived in harmony with the natural diversity of flora and fauna. In the process of historical de- velopment, they created many new forms of food, medicine, and forage crops, and domestic animals, promoted their conservation, thus en- riching the natural biodiversity. The recent cen- tury was marked by an increased human nega- tive impact on biodiversity, due to the population Ruderal-degraded ecosystems growth and active land mastering. The conservation of vegetation biodiver- Ruderal ecosystems of the foothills are sity in the mountains prevents the fertile soil generally represented by one species open plant layer from erosion and destruction by mudflows, communities: caper (Capparis spinosa), frag- and regulates groundwater formation. ments of wall barley (Hordeum leporinum), an- nual saltworts (Salsola pestifera, S.turkestanica, A. Vegetation world S.forcipitata), and camel’s thorn (Alhagi kirghi- The vegetation world is represented by a sorum). great genetic and environmental diversity, and a Ruderal communities of the low-mountain unique specific diversity; it includes 9771 species zone are represented by Cynodon dactilon, Pro- and 20 formations. sopis farcta, cousinia (Cousinia Olgae, The processes of xerophytization, C.polycephala, C.ambigens, C.dichromata, ephemerization, mesophyllization, cryophytiza- C.microcarpa, C.radians, C.pseudoarctium, etc.), tion, and migration processes in Tajikistan and forbs. caused an extensive formation of flora species Licorice, together with reed (Saccharum and forms. This resulted in the appearance of spontaneum) and camel’s thorn (Alhagi kirghi- numerous vicarious plants, altitudinal and eco- sorum), are formed after cuttings in the forest logical vicariants that considerably enriched the ecosystem zone.
    [Show full text]
  • Dam Safety in Central Asia
    ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE Geneva Water Series No. 5 Dam safety in Central Asia: Capacity-building and regional cooperation UNITED NATIONS ECE/MP.WAT/26 ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE Geneva Water Series № 5 DAM SAFETY IN CENTRAL ASIA: CAPACITY-BUILDING AND REGIONAL COOPERATION UNITED NATIONS New York and Geneva 2007 ii NOTICE The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. ECE/MP.WAT/26 UNECE Information Unit Phone: +41 (0)22 917 44 44 Palais des Nations Fax: +41 (0)22 917 05 05 CH-1211 Geneva 10 E-mail: [email protected] Switzerland Website: http://www.unece.org UNITED NATIONS PUBLICATION Sales No E.07.II.E.10 ISBN 92-1-116962-1 ISSN 1020-0886 Copyright © United Nations, 2007 All rights reserved Printed at United Nations, Geneva (Switzerland) iii FOREWORD The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), in particular through its Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes, is engaged in promoting cooperation on the management of shared water resources in Central Asia – a pre-condition for sustainable development in the subregion. One direction of activities is promoting the safe operation of more than 100 large dams, most of which are situated on transboundary rivers. Many of these dams were built 40 to 50 years ago, and due to limited resources for their maintenance and the inadequacy of a legal framework for their safe operation, the risk of accidents is increasing.
    [Show full text]
  • Ferghana Valley Water Resources
    PROJECT INFORMATION DOCUMENT (PID) APPRAISAL STAGE Report No.: AB1425 FERGHANA VALLEY WATER RESOURCES Project Name MANAGEMENT PROJECT Public Disclosure Authorized Region EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA Sector Irrigation and drainage (80%);General water, sanitation and flood protection sector (20%) Project ID P084035 Borrower(s) REPUBLIC OF TAJIKISTAN Implementing Agency Ministry of Melioration and Water Resources Management Attn.: Mr. Ahad Ahrorov Coordinator of the Project Preparation Unit 5/1 Shamci Street Dushanbe, Tajikistan 734054 Tel: 992-372-36-62-08 Fax: 992-372-36-62-08 [email protected] Public Disclosure Authorized Environment Category [ ] A [X] B [ ] C [ ] FI [ ] TBD (to be determined) Date PID Prepared February 25, 2005 Date of Appraisal March 10, 2005 Authorization Date of Board Approval May 31, 2005 1. Country and Sector Background Tajikistan has an area of some 141,000 Km2 of which some two thirds form the foothills and high mountains of Turkistan, Zarafshan, and the Pamirs. Several regional ethnicities are represented in its 6.3 million (m) population. Independence and turmoil followed by a bloody Public Disclosure Authorized civil war left it among the poorest countries in the world, but the economy is now growing. Real annual GDP growth has ranged from 8% to 10% over the past few years. As of 2004, annual per capita income was estimated to be around US$300, but some 57% of the population remains below the poverty line. Regional and system characteristics: The Ferghana Valley is an important region of Central Asia with a total population of about 11 million people, of whom 70% live in rural areas, spread among Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan.
    [Show full text]
  • Study on Intra-Regional Cooperation on Water and Power for Efficient Resources Management in Central Asia
    No. Central Asia Region Study on Intra-Regional Cooperation on Water and Power for Efficient Resources Management in Central Asia Main Report February 2009 JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan JAPAN WATER FORUM JAPAN WATER AGENCY TOKYO ELECTRIC POWER SERVICES CO., LTD. EC JR 09-001 Preface In order to promote intra-regional cooperation in Central Asian countries, the “Central Asia plus Japan” dialogue initiative was launched by the Japanese government in 2004. The action plan in each field was drawn up at the foreign ministers’ meeting in 2006. In 2007, at the 2nd “Central Asia plus Japan” intellectual dialogue in Tokyo, a specific theme called “Prospects for Regional Cooperation in Central Asia on Water Resources and Electric Power” was discussed. The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (new JICA, Japan International Cooperation Agency, from October 2008) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan conducted a basic study to set up a new direction for their support, and to concretize the roles of Japan by entrusting Japan Water Forum, Japan Water Agency and Tokyo Electric Power Services Co., Ltd. whit a further study. The study team visited the four countries of Central Asia (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan) twice. The comprehension of the current situation and issues regarding water resources and the electric field was enabled by interviewing governmental organizations, international organizations, donors etc. (the first research). Furthermore, a presentation of the interim report to the organizations and a hearing of the opinions (the second research) were undertaken. The present report was compiled and finalized, as a result of the researches.
    [Show full text]
  • Real-Time Remote Sensing Driven River Basin Modeling Using Radar Altimetry
    Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 15, 241–254, 2011 www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/15/241/2011/ Hydrology and doi:10.5194/hess-15-241-2011 Earth System © Author(s) 2011. CC Attribution 3.0 License. Sciences Real-time remote sensing driven river basin modeling using radar altimetry S. J. Pereira-Cardenal1, N. D. Riegels1, P. A. M. Berry2, R. G. Smith2, A. Yakovlev3, T. U. Siegfried4, and P. Bauer-Gottwein1 1Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljøvej, Building 113, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark 2Earth and Planetary Remote Sensing Laboratory, De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester, LE19BH, UK 3Hydrological Forecasting Department – UzHydromet, Tashkent, Uzbekistan 4The Water Center, The Earth Institute, Columbia University, New York, USA Received: 20 October 2010 – Published in Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. Discuss.: 25 October 2010 Revised: 10 January 2011 – Accepted: 12 January 2011 – Published: 21 January 2011 Abstract. Many river basins have a weak in-situ hydrom- The modeling approach was tested over a historical period eteorological monitoring infrastructure. However, water re- for which in-situ reservoir water levels were available. As- sources practitioners depend on reliable hydrological models similation of radar altimetry data significantly improved the for management purposes. Remote sensing (RS) data have performance of the hydrological model. Without assimila- been recognized as an alternative to in-situ hydrometeoro- tion of radar altimetry data, model performance was limited, logical data in remote and poorly monitored areas and are probably because of the size and complexity of the model increasingly used to force, calibrate, and update hydrologi- domain, simplifications inherent in model design, and the cal models.
    [Show full text]
  • The Case of Shardara MPWI, Kazakhstan
    Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ENV/EPOC/EAP(2017)6 For Official Use English - Or. English 11 October 2017 ENVIRONMENT DIRECTORATE ENVIRONMENT POLICY COMMITTEE GREEN Action Task Force Strengthening the Role of Multi-Purpose Water Infrastructure: the Case of Shardara MPWI, Kazakhstan Final Report For additional information please contact: Mr Alexandre Martoussevitch, Green Growth and Global Relations Division, Environment Directorate, tel.: +33 1 45 24 13 84, e-mail: [email protected]. JT03420523 This document, as well as any data and map included herein, are without prejudice to the status of or sovereignty over any territory, to the delimitation of international frontiers and boundaries and to the name of any territory, city or area. 2 │ ENV/EPOC/EAP(2017)6 Foreword This study was part of the project “Economic Aspects of Water Resource Management in EECCA Countries: Support to the Implementation of the Water Resources Management Programme in Kazakhstan”, which was implemented in 2015-16 under the Kazakhstan and OECD cooperation agreement and the OECD Country Programme for Kazakhstan developed and approved in March 2015. The project would not have been possible without the financial support of the Government of Kazakhstan, the European Union and the Government of Norway, which is gratefully acknowledged. This Final Report was prepared under the project to inform and facilitate the National Policy Dialogue (NPD) on Water Policy in Kazakhstan conducted in cooperation with the European Union Water Initiative (EUWI) and facilitated by the OECD GREEN Action Programme Task Force (former EAP Task Force) and UNECE. The report consists of two parts: Part I, providing the findings and recommendations of the study, and Part II providing information about international experience with management and operation of Multi-Purpose Water Infrastructures (MPWIs).
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental and Social Impact Assessment CASA-1000
    Tajikistan MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND WATER RESOURCES OSHC “BARQI TOJIK” Public Disclosure Authorized CASA 1000 Project Public Disclosure Authorized Environmental and Social Impact Assessment CASA-1000 TRANSMISSION LINE - NORTH SEGMENT Volume 1 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Dushanbe, October 10,2020 1 TABLE OF CONTENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................... 8 I. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 14 II. NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT POLICY AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK ........................................................................................................................................... 17 2.1. Legal framework for environmental protection ............................................................................... 17 2.2. Legal framework for Environmental Assessment ............................................................................ 19 2.3. Environmental Permits and Licences 22 2.4. Community and workforce 23 2.5. Workforce and Labour Conditions 24 2.6. Land Regulation 29 2.7. National Legislation on Access to Information and Public Engagement 32 2.8. Gender Issues 32 III. WORLD BANK ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS ................................ 33 IV. THE COMPARISON OF NATIONAL AND WB EA REQUIREMENTS ................................... 36 V. PROJECT DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • International Environmental Law-Making and Diplomacy Review 2015
    International Environmental Law-making and Diplomacy Review International and Diplomacy Review Environmental Law-making The articles in the present Review are based on lectures given during the twelfth University of Eastern Finland – UNEP Course on Multilateral Environmental Agreements, which was held from 2 to 12 November 2015 in Shanghai, China. The special theme of the course was “Climate Change”. The aim of the Course was to convey key tools and experiences in the area of international environmental law- making to present and future negotiators of multilateral environmental agreements. International Environmental Law-making In addition, the Course served as a forum for fostering North-South co-operation and Diplomacy Review and for taking stock of recent developments in the negotiation and implementation of multilateral environmental agreements and diplomatic practices in the field. The lectures were delivered by experienced hands-on diplomats, government officials and members of academia. The Course is an event designed for experienced 20 15 government officials engaged in international environmental negotiations. In addition, other stakeholders such as representatives of non-governmental organizations and the private sector may apply and be selected to attend the Course. Researchers and academics in the field are also eligible. 2 0 1 5 University of Eastern Finland United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Joensuu Campus Law Division Department of Law P.O. Box 305521 P.O. Box 111 Nairobi FI-80101 Joensuu Kenya Finland E-mail: [email protected]
    [Show full text]
  • Climate Change Impact and Adaptation on the Water Resources in the Amu Darya and Syr Darya River Basins
    Climate Change Impact and Adaptation on the Water Resources in the Amu Darya and Syr Darya River Basins May 2012 Authors A.F. Lutz P. Droogers W.W. Immerzeel Client Asian Development Bank Report FutureWater: 110 FutureWater Costerweg 1V 6702 AA Wageningen The Netherlands +31 (0)317 460050 [email protected] www.futurewater. nl PREFACE This report contributes to the Asian Development Bank study TA 7532 “Water and Adaptation Interventions in Central and West Asia” carried out by the Finnish Consulting Group (FCG) in collaboration with FutureWater (Netherlands) and the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI). The relevance of the study is that the regional policy can only be implemented if there is a strong scientific background for investment plans and commitment to international agreements and conventions. The study focuses on Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The approach of the study is to develop hydrological models for the Amu Darya and Syr Darya and include various climate change impact scenarios. Results will be used to develop national capacity in each of the participating countries to use these models to prepare climate change impact scenarios and develop adaptation strategies. The Request for Proposal for this study was distributed amongst five consortiums on 1-Dec- 2010. Based on a Quality- and Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) the consortium of Finnish Consulting Group (FCG) in collaboration with FutureWater (Netherlands) and the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) was granted to undertake the
    [Show full text]
  • Fisheries and Aquaculture in Tajikistan: Review and Policy Framework
    FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Circular No. 1030/3 SEC/FIRA/C1030/3 (En) ISSN 2070-6065 FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE IN TAJIKISTAN: REVIEW AND POLICY FRAMEWORK Copies of FAO publications can be requested from: Sales and Marketing Group Publishing Policy and Support Branch Office of Knowledge Exchange, Research and Extension FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla 00153 Rome, Italy E-mail: [email protected] Fax: +39 06 57053360 Website: www.fao.org/icatalog/inter-e.htm Cover photograph: River valley with a trout farm in the background, Wahdat district, Tajikistan (courtesy of FAO/Raymon van Anrooy). FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Circular No. 1030/3 SEC/FIRA/C1030/3 (En) FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE IN TAJIKISTAN: REVIEW AND POLICY FRAMEWORK by Abduvali H. Khaitov Professor Tajik Agrarian University Dushanbe, Tajikistan Ahmadjon Gafurov Chairman State Unitary Enterprise – Mohii Tajikistan Dushanbe, Tajikistan Raymon van Anrooy Fishery and Aquaculture Officer FAO Subregional Office for Central Asia Ankara, Turkey Mohammad R. Hasan Aquaculture Officer FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department Rome, Italy Pedro B. Bueno FAO Consultant Bangkok, Thailand Sedat V. Yerli Professor Faculty of Science, Hacettepe University Ankara, Turkey FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Ankara, 2013 The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned.
    [Show full text]
  • MAPPING TRANSBOUNDARY HOTSPOTS for the CENTRAL ASIAN MAMMALS INITIATIVE (Draft Report Prepared by Stefan Michel)
    Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals SECOND RANGE STATE MEETING OF THE CMS CENTRAL ASIAN MAMMALS INITIATIVE (CAMI) 25 - 28 September 2019, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia UNEP/CMS/CAMI2/Inf.3 MAPPING TRANSBOUNDARY HOTSPOTS FOR THE CENTRAL ASIAN MAMMALS INITIATIVE (Draft report prepared by Stefan Michel) Mapping Transboundary Conservation Hotspots for the Central Asian Mammals Initiative Report – Draft 2 for CAMI Range States Representatives and Species Focal Points, revised based on comments by the CMS Secretariat and Stefan Michel Erfurt, 13.09.2019 Disclaimer: The content of this draft report is the sole responsibility of the author and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the CMS Secretariat. 1 Table of content Table of content .................................................................................................................................... 2 Abbreviations ......................................................................................................................................... 4 1. Background .................................................................................................................................... 5 2. Working approach and methods ................................................................................................ 7 3. Characteristics of the species ..................................................................................................... 9 3.1 General remarks........................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Water Conflicts in Central Asia: Some Recommendations on the Non-Conflictual Use of Water
    sustainability Case Report Water Conflicts in Central Asia: Some Recommendations on the Non-Conflictual Use of Water José Antonio Peña-Ramos 1,2,* , Philipp Bagus 3 and Daria Fursova 4 1 Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Providencia 7500912, Chile 2 Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Faculty of Political Sciences and Sociology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain 3 Department of Applied Economics I, History and Economic Institutions and Moral Philosophy, Social and Legal Sciences Faculty, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28033 Madrid, Spain; [email protected] 4 Faculty of Translation and Interpreting, Moscow State Linguistic University, 119034 Moscow, Russia; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +34-6-5721-9669 Abstract: Central Asian states, where freshwater is a strategic resource, are oriented towards regional conflict rather than cooperation. First, the article analyses the role of the unequal distribution of freshwater that has been generating conflicts in Central Asia in the post-Soviet period. Next, these conflicts are examined. Finally, we provide some recommendations on the non-conflictual use of water. Keywords: water conflicts; freshwater; water resources; Central Asia; geopolitics; water resource management; responsible use of scarce resources; non-conflictual; recommendations Citation: Peña-Ramos, J.A.; Bagus, P.; 1. Introduction Fursova, D. Water Conflicts in Central Freshwater is a strategic natural resource in any region of the world, and this is espe- Asia: Some Recommendations on the cially true for the Central Asian region, which currently comprises five former constituent Non-Conflictual Use of Water. republics of the Soviet Union: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyr- Sustainability 2021, 13, 3479.
    [Show full text]