Sociological Survey Report
Project Number: 39674 September 2008
Kyrgyz Republic: CAREC Transport Corridor I (Bishkek–Torugart Road) Project
Prepared by Raya Osmonalieva
For the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Kyrgyz Republic
This consultant’s report does not necessarily reflect the views of ADB or the Government concerned, and ADB and the Government cannot be held liable for its contents. (For project preparatory technical assistance: All the views expressed herein may not be incorporated into the proposed project’s design.)
SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
Content
I. Introduction 4 A. Poverty and Social Analysis (supplementary) 4 Background B. Objectives of report and general approach 4 C. Report structure 4 D. Methodology 5 Locations of social survey. 6 II. Opinions of interviewed citizens based on results of questioning and focus groups discussions. 6 Naryn town. A. The most acute problems of the town 7 B. Types of activities and incomes of population 8 C. Trips of citizens 11 D. Attitude of population to reconstruction of the road Bishkek-Torugart 12 E. Expectations from reconstruction of the road Bishkek-Torugart 12 F. Social groups, which will benefit 13 G. Attitude of women to reconstruction of the road. 13 H. Requests of population to road designers 13 III. Opinions of interviewed village inhabitants based on results of questioning and focus groups discussions. Ottyk village 14 A. The most acute problems of the village 14 B. Types of economic activities and incomes of the population 15 C. Social groups beneficiaries 16 D. Trips of village inhabitants 19 E. Women’s attitude to the reconstruction of the road 20 F. Most acute women’s problems 20 G. Attitude of the population to the reconstruction of Bishkek-Torugart road 21 H. Expectations from Bishkek-Torugart road reconstruction 21 J. Requests of the population to the road designers 22 VI. Village inhabitant’s opinion on results of questioning And focus group discussion. At-Bashy village 22 A. Most acute problems of the village 23 B. Kinds of economical activities and income of population 24 C. Inhabitants’ trips 27 D. Attitude of population to reconstruction of Bishkek-Torugart road 28 E. Expectations from reconstruction of Bishkek-Torugart road 28 F. Social groups that will get benefits 29 G. Women’s attitude to road reconstruction. 30 H. Negative consequences of road rehabilitation for women 30 V. Village inhabitants’ opinion on results of questioning and focus group discussions. Kara-Suu village 31 A. The most acute problems of the village 31
2 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
B. Types of economic activities and incomes of the population 32 C. Trips of village inhabitants 35 D. Village inhabitant’s attitude to reconstruction of Bishkek-Torugart road 36 E. Attitude of women to reconstruction of road 36 F. Expectations from Bishkek-Torugart road reconstruction 36 G. Requests of the population to the road designers 37 VI. Contribution of the Project into general economic growth 38 A. The project impact on poverty 38 B. Direct and indirect groups of beneficiaries 38 VII. Conclusions and Recommendations 39 A. Conclusions 39 B. Recommendations 40
Appendix 1. Report on meetings carried out with key officials during the first trip along Bishkek - Torugart road 43
Appendix 2. Public Hearing conducted by socio-ecological group on Small-Scale Technical Assistance for CAREC Road I (Bishkek-Torugart Road) project 46 Appendix 3. Interview with Kubanychbek Abdrakhmanovich Mamaev. The 1st deputy minister, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Transport and Communication 48 Appendix 4. Focus-group discussion conducted with people occupied by trade in “Holodnaya voda” section of the road 50 Appendix 5. Naryn region. General characteristic of the region. The main socio-economic indicators 52 Appendix 6. Summary Poverty Reduction and Social Strategy 61 Appendix 7. Country overview 64
3 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
1. Introduction
A. Poverty and Social Analysis (supplementary)
Background
1. The Bishkek–Torugart road is about 500 kilometer (km) mostly two-lane national highway linking the Kyrgyz Republic and the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The Kyrgyz Republic’s Country Development and Road Sector Development strategies for 2007-2010 identified the rehabilitation of international Bishkek–Torugart road as one of the priority tasks in the road transport sector. Therefore, the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, acting through its Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC), has requested the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other donors to provide financing for the upgrading the road corridor in order to improve road safety, achieve shorter travel times and lower vehicle operating costs, enhance the welfare of poor people and increase trade and transit links between Kyrgyz Republic and the PRC. The improvement of the Bishkek–Torugart road will be implemented in series of three discrete projects. This proposal is for Project 1 (the Project).
2. These supplementary poverty and social analysis have been conducted in Naryn Oblast, where the project road will pass, i.e. covering km 278 – km 478. It describes the main socioeconomic profile along the road, assesses social and poverty impacts of the intended road development. Analyses and proposes measures that will supplement the Project in poverty reduction in design zone. Recommended social activities are included in Report.
B. Objectives of report and general approach
3. This report presents results of conducted sociological field researches, interviews with interested key persons at oblast, rayon and village level, public hearings with interested persons of design zone. Objectives of the report: · To describe results of conducted sociological field researches, meetings with interested persons; · To represent quantitative information, obtained as a result of data processing (results of conducted field researches) in the text form.
4. Approach and methodology in present analysis are used as represented in final report “Facilitation of Transport Cooperation Among Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Countries”. Phase 2. TA - 6294 - REG. «Handbook on Poverty and Social Analysis, Section 3. Poverty and Social Analysis in Project Preparation, ADB» is also taken for consideration. The report reflects opinions of interviewed people and their comments, quantitative data of field researches, comments of key interested persons and public hearings.
С. Report structure
5. Report is represented in several chapters. Chapter II describes the most acute problems of Naryn city, population’s kinds of activities and their incomes. Attitude of population to road reconstruction and their expectations. Groups which will obtain benefits are determined. Chapter III includes opinions of Ottyk village inhabitants. The most acute problems of village, population’s kinds of activities and their incomes. Social groups which will obtain benefits are determined. Attitude of population to road reconstruction and their expectations from reconstruction.
4 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
Chapter IV describes the most acute problems of At-Bashy village, population’s kinds of activities and their incomes. Social groups which will obtain benefits are determined. Attitude of population to road reconstruction and their expectations from reconstruction. Chapter of the V describes the most acute problems of Kara-Suu village, population’s kinds of activities and their incomes. Attitude of population to road reconstruction. Attitude of women to road reconstruction. Social groups which will obtain benefits are determined. Chapter VI describes impact of Project on poverty, direct and indirect beneficiaries. Chapter VII contains conclusions and recommendations. Appendixes, interviews with key interested persons, synthesis of public hearings with population of the design zone, statistical information. Summary Poverty Reduction and Social Strategy. Country overview.
D. Methodology
6. Purpose of social study: to find out attitude of the population to Bishkek – Torugart road rehabilitation, their opinions and appraisals regarding implementation of the project.
7. Statistical data collection. Statistics data on settlements located close to Bishkek – Torugart road have been collected.
8. Direct observation. All group members responsible for field study conducted observation.
9. Focus group discussions. In each selected for the sociological study settlements (Ottyk village (Naryn rayon), Naryn town, At-Bashy village and Karasuu village (At-Bashy rayon) two focus group discussions have been conducted: men and women together, as well as one separate focus group discussion for women. There were total eight focus group discussions. Discussions have been conducted in free environment: everyone could speak out his/her opinion as it was. Discussions have been recorded not miss any of the spoken out opinions. Guidelines for the conducting of the focus group discussions for each group have been developed in advance. Experienced moderators conducted discussions in the groups. There were total 100 participants in the focus group discussions: 38 men and 62 women. Those were people of different ages and occupation. The results of focus group discussions have been transcribed later (dictaphone records during conducting of focus group discussions).
10. Questionnaires. In the above-mentioned settlements inquiry have been conducted with the people of different occupations and age, with the people who are well informed about various aspects of local life. Among them were: doctors, teachers, engineers, rural leaders, drivers, state enterprises’ employees, farmers, businessmen, representatives of local NGOs, representatives of local authority, pensioners, housewives, unemployed and others. Total 150 people have been questioned on specially developed questionnaires. Out of them there were 64 men and 86 women. Results of inquiry have been processed on the computer.
11. Individual interviews. Individual interviews have been conducted with the 1st deputy minister of Ministry of Transport and Communication, 1st deputy of oblast administration, heads of the rayons (heads or deputy heads of rayon state administration), vice-mayor of Naryn town, heads or deputy heads of ayil okmotu (village administration), i.e. the stakeholders interested in the implementation of the project and that could give an assessment of road conditions, settlement problems, evaluate the possible benefits or adverse impacts in the project area. These interviews allowed finding out opinions of the rayon’s heads about the coming road rehabilitation in more detail. Total 11 interviews have been conducted.
5 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
Locations of social survey
12. The syrvey has been conducted in four settlements (Ottuk, At-Bashy, Kara-Suu and Naryn town) through which part of Bishkek – Torugart road is going.
Table 1.1. Locations of social survey
Oblast Rayon Village Town Naryn Naryn Ottuk Naryn At-Bashy At-Bashy Kara-Suu
13. After the first trip to these settlements and meetings with the rayons and ayil okmotu heads and preliminary study of the condition of the road, the program of social survey, questionnaires, guides have been developed to conduct focus group discussions.
Working hypothesis
14 Before the beginning of the survey the following working hypothesis has been proposed: Rehabilitation (reconstruction) of Bishkek – Torugart road is a vital necessity since its current technical condition is assumed unsatisfactory and does not properly provide road traffic safety. In addition, market reforms led to considerably increased load. Major part of the road goes through rural areas, population of which is occupied in agriculture; that is the main source of income for them. Rehabilitation of the road will considerably facilitate transportation of the agricultural product to the markets. The population is interested in the project implementation, since it will bring great economic and social benefits. Adverse effects of the road rehabilitation will be insignificant (minimum) and won’t considerably influence economic and social status of the population. The given hypothesis in general has been confirmed by the results of the survey.
SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT: PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
II. Opinions of interviewed citizens based on results of questioning and focus groups discussions. Naryn town.
Table 2.1 Educational level of the interviewed people
1. Higher education 58, 6% 2. Uncompleted higher education 6,9% 3. Secondary specialized education 19,7% 4. Secondary education 14,8% 5. Uncompleted secondary education 0,0% 6. Primary education 0,0%
6 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
Table 2.2 Type of occupation
1. Entrepreneurs 1,8% 2. Doctors 7,8% 3. Teachers 15,1% 4. Engineers 5,7% 5. Accountants 2,9% 6. Public servants of local authorities 5,9% 7. Employees of governmental enterprises 14,3 8. Pensioners 15,4% 9. Unemployed 17,3% 10. Other 13,8%.
Participants by age: from 18-24 years of age – 25,7%; 25-31 – 2,8%; 32-38 – 11,4%; 39-45 – 5,7%; 46-52 – 25,7%; 53-59 – 22,8%; 60 and over – 5,7%. Participants by ethnic composition: 100% were ethnic Kyrgyz. It is necessary to point out that ethnic Kyrgyz in the Naryn region comprise 93,7%.
A. The most acute problems of the town
15. Those interviewed based on the questionnaire identified the priority problems of the town as follows: § roads paved with asphalt § regular supply of electricity § construction and rehabilitation of running water supply system § quality of medical services.
Histogram 1. The most important problems of the town
51,40%
34,30% 25,70% 22,80%
Road with Provision of Construction Health care asphalt covering stable power and restoration quality supply of water supply system
16. Participants of focus groups discussions (a mixed group and women’s group) emphasized the following main problems among other problem:
7 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
§ Unemployment. Youth in search of work migrates to the Chui valley, Bishkek and abroad to Russia and Kazakhstan. § Poor quality of roads: they are broken and have not been repaired for a long time. § Frequent cuts of electricity. § Poor quality and insufficient water pressure. § Poor quality of medical services.
B. Types of activities and incomes of population
Histogram 2. Types of activities of citizens of the town
35,30%
3,90%
Work in catering sphere 31,40% Sale and resale of goods 5,90%
23,50% Construction and repair of houses, building
Cattle breeding
Agricultural production
17. As answers demonstrated over a half of interviewed people are engaged in livestock and agricultural production (54,9%). Small number of people is engaged in sphere of catering and construction of residential houses and buildings. One third of interviewed people are engaged in selling and re-selling of goods of various types. They had to do this step in conditions of mass unemployment. People, engaged in selling goods, as participants of focus groups pointed out, bring goods (foods and manufactured goods) from Bishkek and re-sell them in the markets of the town. More independent people travel to China by themselves to buy goods and then resell them wholesale to small traders.
18. Livestock breeding represents one more main source of income of urban population. Raising sheep and goats is more widely spread among families, engaged in livestock development (10183 heads), than raising cattle (1503 heads).
19. Out of agricultural producers only 14,3% of those interviewed sell surplus of their products. The remaining 85,7% of interviewed citizens produce only for their own consumption. Ability of get incomes from several sources is also becoming a key determining of economic wellbeing. According to data of survey based on interviews, pensions as one of the most important sources of income has the biggest importance
8 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
20. The most awful is the situation of those unemployed. Participants of the focus groups point out: «Students study at Universities, however where are they going to get employment, if there are no jobs. There are private enterprises, but only a small number of young people are employed in them ». (A focus group in the mixed group).
21. Unemployment in actuality is a social scourge. Out of 22131 of population, which is able to work (employable), 8088 people work at enterprises and organizations of the town. (see population employment Table above).
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Table 2.3 BREAKDOWN OF ANSWERS OF QUESTIONNAIRE ON DISTRIBUTION OF INCOMES PER FAMILY, town Naryn page 1
less than 5000 5000-10000 10001-20000 20001-40000 More than 40000 total Answers number % number % number % number % number % number % INCOMES OF A FAMILY PER YEAR (som) 1. salary 3 30.00 2 15.38 9 50.00 4 25.00 8 47.05 26 35.13 2. pension 3 30.00 6 46.15 3 16.67 6 37.50 2 11.76 20 27.02 3. allowance 1 10.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 1 1.,35 4. from rent of transportation vehicle 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 5. from rent of land 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 6. other incomes 0 0.00 0 0.00 4 22.22 2 12.5 4 23.53 10 13.51 7. from sales of grain 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 8. from sales of potatoes 0 0.00 3 23.08 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 3 4.05 9. from sales of hay 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 10. from sales of meat 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 1 5.88 1 1.35 11. from sales of wool 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 12. from sales of milk 2 20.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 2 12.5 0 0.00 4 5.41 13. from sales of butter 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 14. from sales of other products 1 10.00 2 15.38 2 22.22 2 12.5 2 11.76 9 12.16 15. total incomes 1 2.33 6 13.95 10 23.26 15 34.88 11 25.58 43 100.00 TOTAL ANSWERS: 10 0.00 13 0.00 18 0.00 16 0.00 17 0.00 74 100.00
10 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
C. Trips of citizens
22. Citizens of the town make frequent trips to other settlements of the region, to Bishkek. Fare for going by bus to Bishkek for person is 280 som, by taxi 400 som. Trip prices vary depending on change of diesel oil price. Cost for ton of load from Bishkek to Naryn comprises 2000 som.
Histogram 3. Trips of town citizens across the region
48,60%
26,00%
16,30%
6,20% 2,90%
Several times Every week Several times Every month Several times per week per month per year
Histogram 4. Trips of citizens to Bishkek
59,40%
28,80%
7,10% 4,70% 0,00%
Every Several Every Several Another week times per month times per month year
Purposes of trips
23. Participants of the survey answered that they make trips to buy goods (5,3%), make business trips (19,7%), for visiting institutions of culture (2,9%), on private business and other business (63,8 % и 8,3%). They also travel to China, these are mostly “shuttle” traders, who travel to bye goods.
11 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
D. Attitude of population to reconstruction of the road Bishkek-Torugart
24. Almost all (100%) interviewed persons, pointed out, that the road Bishkek-Torugart requires urgent rehabilitation.
From the point of view of those interviewed the following benefits will depend on improvement of the road:
Benefits due to rehabilitation of the road Number % Increase of the volume of transported goods 14 33,1 Decrease of time for transportation 5 10,7 Better undamaged state of products (transportability) 5 12,5 Decrease of the number of accidents 12 27,4 Decrease of cases of breaking of transportation vehicles 7 16,7
25. Participants of focus groups pointed out, that: «Due to poor condition of the road transportation vehicles often break. Taxi drivers dictate their prices for transportation and there is no unified tariff ». (Focus group in the mixed group).
26. «As at the present moment the road is in its worst conditions. Transportation vehicles break often. Practically all taxi drivers are nervous people». (Focus group in the mixed group).
27. «Due to poor road drivers do not observe rules of the road and due to this reason there are many road accidents». (Focus group in the mixed group).
E. Expectations from reconstruction of the road Bishkek-Torugart
28. All interviewed persons consider that reconstruction of the road Bishkek-Torugart is extremely necessary. As the result of reconstruction of the automobile road, communications will improve between settlements and trips will become comfortable and safe.
Histogram 5. Impact of the road Bishkek-Torugart on economic status of population
44,30%
34,30%
21,40%
Com m unication Trips will be Roadside trade betw een safe and w ill appear villages, oblast com fortable center and cap ital w ill b e improved
12 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
29. Focus group participants expect the following socio-economic benefits due to reconstruction of the road: «Good road will allow improvement of sale of products of farmers. Trips for passengers will become more comfortable and safe. Communication between villages and the regional centre will improve». Cars will break less frequently. After improvement of the road trips will become cheaper. The number of accidents will reduce. (Focus group in the mixed group).
F. Social groups, which will benefit
30. As participants of focus groups discussions pointed out, reconstruction of the road will produce benefits for all groups of population: § peasants (farmers): agricultural products, produced by them will be transported to big markets quickly and with less losses. § Medical doctors of the ambulance acute care will be able to get to those sick persons to remote rayons quicker § It will be easier for sick persons and pregnant women to get to the regional hospital § Business people, “shuttle” traders will also benefit (transportation of goods will improve and the volume of transported goods will increase) § Truck drivers, engaged in transportation of goods, agricultural products § Car drivers, engaged in passenger transportation § Employees of road-and-maintenance unit (RMU) § tourists § women, who will be selling goods near the road.
G. Attitude of women to reconstruction of the road
31. Women of Naryn town do not have particular problems with access to and use of transportation services. At focus group discussions women actively demonstrated their positive attitude to reconstruction of the road Bishkek-Torugart. Also women are interested to participate in works, which will be provided in the course of the envisaged rehabilitation activities. They are prepared to participate in certain types of “women’s” labor.
Response to the question of the moderator if negative consequences of rehabilitation of the road are possible for women?
32. All participants of focus groups discussions pointed out that both for women and for total population they do not see negative consequences. «Good conditions of life never bring negative consequences. No negative consequences will take place». (Focus group in the women’s group).
H. Requests of population to road designers
33. Participants of discussions expresses the following requests to the road designers: “We have long and severe cold winter, this is why it is necessary to take into account these conditions during rehabilitation of the road». (Focus group in the women’s group).
34. «It is desirable that money, allocated for the road rehabilitation were used for the targeted purpose. Also continuous reporting on the performed scope of works is necessary. (Focus group in the women’s group).
35. “We hope that the road designers will observe all technical norms and requirements and the road will operate for us for a long period of time. (Focus group in the mixed group).
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III. Opinions of interviewed village inhabitants based on results of questioning and focus groups discussions. Ottyk village
Table 3.1 Educational level of the respondents
1. Higher education 9.4% 2. Incomplete higher education 5.4% 3. Specialized secondary education 25.0% 4. Secondary education 52.8% 5. Incomplete secondary education 7.4% 6. Elementary education 0.0% 7. No education 0.0%
Majority of the respondents have secondary and specialized secondary education.
Table 3.2 Occupation of the respondents
1. Farmers 15.6% 2. Entrepreneurs 6.2% 3. Accountants 3.1% 4. Representatives of local authority 3.1% 5. Pensioners 28.9% 6. Housewives 11.3% 7. Unemployed 15.3% 8. Others 16.5%
A. The most acute problems of the village
The most important measures to improve their life were named by the respondents.
Histogram 6. The most important measures of improvement
64,40%
41,60% 33,30% 25,00%
To improve water Roads with asphalt Provision of stable Health care quality supply system covering power supply
36. Among the problems that village citizens worry about are the following: road reconstruction, improvement of water supply system, provision of stable power supply, improvement of health care quality.
14 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
37. Participants of focus group discussions noted the following most important problems of the village: “Repair of the road, provision of stable power supply, drinking water problems are the main problems of our village”. (focus group in men and women groups).
38. “Our village is located on the Bishkek – Torugart road. As is well known along this road twenty-four hour pass heavy chinese vehicles. From noise and vibration at night we are spilled, children cry, and relatives who arrive to visit could not sleep at all. We repeatedly wrote to rayon, oblast administrations, to the Ministry of Transport and Communication about the state of our road. Repair has long ago been necessary to road”. (Focus group in man and women group).
39. “Chinese heavy machines led our roads to the emergency state and destroyed houses that are located along the road. Bishkek –Torugart road was strongly destroyed until establishing of weights for the heavy machines in the territory of At-Bashy rayon. But also now these heavy machines continue to drive to Bishkek. When they return to China empty, they rush with such speed that walls of our houses are cracking. In village they do not limit speed, no one fines them and no measures taken”. (Focus group in women’s group).
40. “People in our village mainly are busy in the agricultural production. Our farmers have problems with marketing of the products. They have to sell it at a low price. We can’t get warrant of our labor and costs. Expensive POL and agricultural machinery service. All these lead to poverty”. (focus group in women’s group).
41. “Because of expensive rent of agricultural machinery agro technical work is not being done. Seed farms are not working, there are no good quality seeds”. (focus group in women’s group).
B. Types of economic activities and incomes of the population
Diagram 1. Main types of activities of the village inhabitants
Construction and repair of houses, Sale and resale of Work in catering buildings goods sphere 3,6 0,5% 2,6% Agricultural production 31,8% Agricultural processing 0,5%
Cattle breeding 60,8%
42. Respondents have personal homestead lands, busy with stockbreeding and agricultural production (92,6). 63,6% of the respondents answered that they sell their agricultural products to the middlemen and no one transport their product to markets.
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43. Currently part of farmers and peasants are less busy with the transportation of their products to the markets. This became business of already formed group of middlemen, sub purchasers, merchants which means that division of labor already happened. Farmers and peasants are not worrying about preservation of their product, losses, since they sell wholesale. Large transportation costs do not allow farmers selling their product themselves, that is why products are sold wholesale right from the fields.
44. The main occupation of the rural population is stockbreeding and plant cultivation. Majority of the population has cattle, horses, sheep and goats. From May to September animals are grazing on “djailoo”, where system “bada” is used, which means that people give their cattle to the person who gaze animals for certain payment and in autumn returns animals in good condition. From October to May cattle is kept at home. When there are money constraints cattle is sold, or meat is sold in the markets of Bishkek. Sheep wool is used to make felt carpets, sweaters, socks for the family members. Goat wool is sold. Family incomes are also formed due to dairy product sale (airan, suzme, curut). Suzmo and curut production are not so wide spread activities due to its laboriousness and time consuming. Population also receives income from selling agricultural product (grain, potatoes and other).
45. Population’s livestock number is the main “barometer” showing relative economic well being of people in this region, which is connected to how people estimate their economical status.
46. During last decade great changes occurred in the economical condition of the population. Among such changes the main one is principally new social stratification of rural citizens. During comparatively short period of time new strata appeared – rich people, or those who have level of income that several times exceeds cost of living; middle ones - those whose level of income is within the cost of living or slightly exceeds it; poor ones - those whose level of income is below the cost of living (below poverty line). Division for rich, middle and poor is rather relative. Each region has its own criteria to make such division.
47. There are very few families with high level of income. Focus groups participants stated that family income is only enough to cover necessary needs.
C. Social groups, which will benefit
48. As focus groups participants noted, the reconstruction of the road will be beneficial to all groups of the population. However, they also noted that some groups would be benefited more than others. These groups are interested in the reconstruction of the road more than others. These are: § Drivers of trucks busy with the transportation of goods and agricultural products; § Car drivers busy with the transportation of passengers; § Employees of road maintenance unit (RMU); § Merchants, “shuttles” (transportation will be more quick, volume of cargo will be increased); § Peasants (farmers): agricultural products that they grow after the road reconstruction will be delivered to big markets faster with less losses. § Tourists. § Women, they will be busy with aside road trade.
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17 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
Table 3.3 BREAKDOWN OF ANSWERS OF QUESTIONNAIRE ON DISTRIBUTION OF INCOMES PER FAMILY, OTTUK VILLAGE Page 1
less than 5000 5000-10000 10001-20000 20001-40000 more than 40000 total Answers numb % number % numb % number % number % numb % er er er INCOMES OF A FAMILY PER YEAR (som) 1. salary 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 2 2.94 2 1.28 2. pension 0 0.00 0 0.00 6 10.00 6 8.82 12 7.69 3. allowance 3 30.00 4 6.66 6 10.00 1 1.47 14 8.97 4. from rent of transportation vehicle 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 1 1.47 1 0.64 5. from rent of land 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 6. other incomes 4 40.00 3 5.00 8 13.33 5 7.35 20 12.82 7. from sales of grain 0 0.00 2 3.33 1 1.66 5 7.35 8 5.12 8. from sales of potatoes 2 20.00 6 10.00 10 16.66 7 10.29 25 16.02 9. from sales of hay 1 10.00 4 6.66 7 11.66 7 10.29 19 12.17 10. from sales of meat 0 0.00 5 8.33 9 15.00 10 14.70 24 15.38 11. from sales of wool 0 0.00 0 0.00 4 6.66 4 5.88 8 5.12 12. from sales of milk 0 0.00 1 1.66 5 8.33 4 5.88 10 6.41 13. from sales of butter 0 0.00 0 0.00 4 6.66 5 7.35 9 5.76 14. from sales of other products 0 0.00 4 6.66 0 0.00 0 0.00 4 2.56 15. total incomes 2 6.25 7 21.87 12 37.5 11 34.37 32 100.0 0 TOTAL ANSWERS: 10 100.00 29 100.00 60 100.0 68 100.0 156 100.0 0 0 0
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D. Trips of village inhabitants
49. Village inhabitants several times a week are traveling over oblast. Pretty often (several times a month) village inhabitants go to other settlements. Most often they go by private taxi. As focus group discussions participants noted: people go visit their children who live and work or study in Naryn, Bishkek, as well as to see their relatives, on business trips or to receive medical help to Bishkek.
Histogram 7. Trips of village inhabitants over oblast
21,90% Several times per year
34,40% Every month
25,00% Several times per month
12,50% Every week
6,20% Several times per week
Histogram 8. Trips of village inhabitants to Bishkek
95,20% Several times per year
4,80% Every month 0,00% Several times per month 0,00% Several times per week SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
E. Women’s attitude to the reconstruction of the road
50. Women of this village do not have particular problems in access to transportation service. During focus group discussion women demonstrated positive attitude to the reconstruction of Bishkek-Torugart road. In addition, women are interested in possible working opportunities during rehabilitation. They are ready to participate in certain types of physical labor.
Moderator question: If the negative consequences of the road rehabilitation for women are possible?
51. People’s opinions about negative consequences of the road reconstruction greatly differ. Majority of the respondents noted that negative consequences of the road reconstruction for the population would be insignificant (minimum) and wouldn’t considerably influence village’s life.
52. Some women were afraid of the fact that improved road will increase traffic intensity, which may cause increase in the number of road accidents. “ After the reconstruction of the road traffic will become more intensive that will lead to increased number of accidents”. (Focus-group in women’s group).
53. “After the reconstruction of the road traffic will become more intensive that will lead to greater emission of exhausts into atmosphere”. (Focus-group in women’s group).
54. “More intensive road traffic will have adverse effect on those who suffer from heart diseases because of constant noise, thunder”. (Focus-group in women’s group).
55. “We face every day with all the above mentioned things, so I don’t think that after the reconstruction of the road situation will worsen to greater extent. There won’t be negative consequences”. (Focus-group in mixed group).
Moderator question: “What do women expect from the reconstruction of the road?”
56. “Trips will become cheaper and more safe. Tourism in our region will be better developed, different development opportunities in tourism sector will appear; reconstruction of the road will have positive effect on rayon and village development. Tourists will be here more often that, in turn, will promote trade, trade is mostly women’s business”. (Focus-group in women’s group).
57. “Volume of transported products will be increased, variety of goods will be wider. In addition, less time will be spend for transportation”. (Focus-group in women’s group).
58. “It would be easier for women busy in the trade sphere go for goods. Pregnant women will be able to go long distance trips”. (mixed focus group).
F. Most acute women’s problems
59. As focus group discussion showed, gender problems are complicated and need more detailed study. Transition period and related radical turn in economic relations caused mass unemployment, which has threatening size. Economical, social and political consequences affected everyone with no exclusion; everybody had to pay his/her own price for that. But for women such consequences had their own peculiarities. Growing poverty and unemployment, weakened social support from the state, affected, of course, both men and women. For women, however, this was harder because of specific women’s tasks of reproduction and keeping of the family. Closing of kindergartens, worsening of health care quality, absence of state support of those families that have
20 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
many children – all of these factors had adverse effect on women, especially in rural areas.
G. Attitude of the population to the reconstruction of Bishkek-Torugart road
60. All the respondents (100%) noted that the condition of the road Bishkek-Torugart is very poor and it needs to be reconstructed urgently.
Respondents see the following benefits from improvement of the road:
Benefits from the road reconstruction Number % Increased volume of transported freight 30 40,9 Decreased transportation time 10 12,9 Better preserved products 5 7,4 Decreased number of road accidents 12 16,6 Less breakage of vehicles 16 22,2
61. Reconstruction of Bishkek-Torugart road is urgent necessity; it will bring great economic benefits first of all to those people who’s activity is directly linked to the road: truck owners and drivers; “shuttles” and merchants; persons who will wish to invest money in aside road service (gas stations, maintenance shops, cafes); employees of road maintenance unit (RMU); farmers: agricultural production that they grow after the road reconstruction will be delivered to big markets faster and with less losses.
H. Expectations from Bishkek-Torugart road reconstruction
62. All the respondents think that road reconstruction is extremely necessary. As a result of the road reconstruction, communication between settlements, oblast center and the capital of the country will be improved, trips will be safer, and aside road trade will appear.
Diagram 2. Impact of Bishkek -Torugart road on socio-economic condition of the population
55,10%
34,50% 10,40%
Improved Trips will become Aside roade trade will communication between convenient and safe appear villages, oblast center and capital
21 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
63. Focus groups participants noted the following benefits from the road reconstruction: “Transportation service costs will be lower, trips will be safer”. (mixed group).
64. “With the road improving it will be easier for farmers go and sell their products, this is time and money saving”. (mixed group).
J. Requests of the population to the road designers
65. Discussions participants spelled out the following requests to the road designers. “All of us, citizens, express opinion that the road would be constructed with good quality. We thank in advance all the people who are involved and will be involved in the road reconstruction. That road would be up to all the requirements. Road carrying capacity needs to be taken into account. We hope that funds allocated for the reconstruction of the road will be spent for purpose” (mixed group).
66. “We hope that road designers will follow all norms and requirements and the road will serve for many years”. (focus group in women’s group).
67. “It is desirable whenever possible to increase carrying capacity, install signs, speed limitation signs”. (focus group in women’s group).
68. “To install weight for heavy duty trucks to take into account load on the road axis. Local workers should be invited to the construction of the road”. (mixed group).
69. Thus, Bishkek-Torugart road has great importance for the citizens of Ottyk village, through which this road is going; great expectations are connected to the road reconstruction.
VI. Village inhabitants’ opinion on results of questioning and focus group discussions. At- Bashy village.
Table 4.1 Education of surveyed people
1. HIGHER 51,4% 2. Incomplete higher education 3,5% 3. Specialized secondary 28,1% 4. Secondary education 14,2% 5. Incomplete secondary 0,0% 6. Elementary education 2,8% 7. No education 0,0%
70. Data on level of education of interrogated persons witness of remaining high level of education, most people have higher and secondary education.
71. Strong system of education and highly educated population possibly were one of the most positive elements of Soviet heritage in the Kyrgyz Republic at the moment of obtaining independence. In fact level of literacy and education in the Kyrgyz Republic still remains higher than in other countries of CIS. Nevertheless public expenditures on education decrease and there is evidence of restriction of access to education and its quality deterioration.
22 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
Table 4.2 Occupation of surveyed people
1. Businessmen 2,7% 2. Physicians 8,4% 3. Teachers 11,1% 4. Engineers 2,9% 5. Accountants 2,6% 6. Local authorities employees 7,5% 7. Public enterprises workers 20,0 8. Pensioners 9,7% 9. Housewives 7,5% 10. Unemployed 16,2% 11. Other 11,4%.
A. Most acute problems of the village
72. As participants of questioning indicated provision of stable power supply, asphalt covered road, construction and rehabilitation of water supply system and improvement of garbage removal are most severe problems that trouble village inhabitants.
Histogram 9. Main village problems
65,70%
51,40%
40%
26,50%
P ro v isio n o f sta b le Road w ith asphalt C onstruction and Im provem ent of pow er supply covering re sto ra tio n o f garbage rem oval w a te r su p p ly system
72. Participants of focus group discussions marked the following most severe village problems:
“The main problem is one of road. Road is very important as it is main source of development. In our oblast people mainly deal with cattle breeding and agricultural production and sale of agricultural products is one of sharp problems. At the Soviet time farmers did not have such problem, but now people do not know where to sale meat, wool etc. Next problem is electro energy. Government wants to privatize electro energy. Also the problem of coal delivery and its high price
23 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
is a sharp one. If problems of roads, coal and electro energy will be solved than our life will be improved.” (Focus group in mixed group)
73. Also participants of focus group discussions indicated unemployment as one of the most severe problem that trouble people. “I join above said opinions and would like to emphasize that problem #1 is unemployment and the second one is roads”. (Focus-group in mixed group)
74. “Good and strong physicians leave to work in the Russian Federation. Migration represents another sharp problem and level of migration in rayon is very high” (Focus group in mixed group).
75. “Social situation of village inhabitants is very low since it is the most remote region”. (Focus-group in mixed group).
76. Poverty and unemployment result in large migration of rural population. During last five years migration from rural regions of the republic have been observed. Main flows of migrants go to Chuy oblast, Bishkek and its suburban, where more job opportunities exist, and also to Kazakhstan and Russia.
77. Families have to leave for temporary residence searching earnings. Official migration statistics does not reflect real state and level of migration is higher than official statistics. Moreover, it should be considered that women as a rule do not register as unemployed preferring a traditional role of a housewife in case of lack of work.
B. Kinds of economical activities and income of population
Diagram 3. Main kinds of activities of village inhabitants
Sale and resale Work in of goods catering sphere Agricultural 17,3% 2,5% production Construction 27,2% and repair of houses, buildings 7,4%
Processing of Cattle breeding agricultural 59,5% products 6%
78. Village inhabitants mainly engaged in cattle breeding and production of agricultural products. It is marked by more than half of interrogated people. (86,7%)
79. During questioning approximate level of people’s income has been determined, as a rule they conceal their income and count expenses. Concealment of income as well as number of livestock remains from the Soviet time. But with clear assurance we can suppose that funds of most people only afford them to buy most necessary such as food, payment of public utilities, fuel.
24 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
Peasants, farmers have to bring essential expenditures to buy seed, oil products, and fertilizer. Inhabitants complained of high expenses for electro energy, gas, seed, and fertilizer.
80. Most peasants working much and hard cannot afford even most necessary house things. It can be seemed that availability of land takes off the sharpness of the problem of poverty but it is not so. Growing of agricultural production is a very laborious and expensive process. Difficulties with sale of production, expensiveness of transportation, deficit of spraying water, deficiency or lack of machinery make cultivating of agricultural products not sufficiently profitable, economically unprofitable or simply disadvantageous for poor families which form majority of rural population. At that time mediators (second-hand dealers, traders) get high profits from production cultivated by other hands.
81. Owing to large transportation expenses farmers and peasants do not sell their product at a marketplace. Because of it agricultural production sells wholesale to intermediaries from field. Buyers specialized on this activity take out most of agricultural products to nearest foreign countries.
82. As interrogated data shows village inhabitants get good income from sale of potatoes and grain. It is mentioned by a participant of focus group discussion: “Many people from other regions are interested by our potatoes, meat and grain since these products are natural and of high quality. At last time prices on potatoes got higher and many people became to grow potatoes. People sell potatoes by tons. If road would be good many families would get opportunity to go and sell production. For many families it is one of ways to cope with poverty.” (Focus-group in mixed group)
25 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
Table 4.3 BREAKDOWN OF ANSWERS OF QUESTIONNAIRE ON DISTRIBUTION OF INCOMES PER FAMILY, AT-BASHY VILLAGE page 1
less than 5000 5000-10000 10001-20000 20001-40000 More than 40000 total Answers number % number % number % number % number % number %
INCOMES OF A FAMILY PER YEAR (som) 1. salary 1 4.35 1 6.66 12 35.29 10 45.45 5 100.00 29 29.29 2. pension 2 8.69 5 33.33 6 17.64 5 22.72 0 0.00 18 18.18 3. allowance 4 17.39 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 4 4.04 4. from rent of transportation vehicle 2 8.69 0 0.00 1 2.94 0 0.00 0 0.00 3 3.03 5. from rent of land 2 8.69 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 2 2.02 6. other incomes 0 0.00 0 0.00 4 11.76 2 9.09 0 0.00 6 6.06 7. from sales of grain 2 8.69 0 0.00 0 0.00 1 4.55 0 0.00 3 3.03 8. from sales of potatoes 3 13.04 6 40.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 9 9.09 9. from sales of hay 1 4.35 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 1 1.01 10. from sales of meat 1 4.35 3 20.00 3 8.82 1 4.55 0 0.00 8 8.08 11. from sales of wool 1 4.35 0 0.00 1 2.94 0 0.00 0 0.00 2 2.02 12. from sales of milk 1 4.35 0 0.00 3 8.82 0 0.00 0 0.00 4 4.04 13. from sales of butter 1 4.35 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 1 1.01 14. from sales of other products 2 8.69 0 0.00 4 11.76 3 13.64 0 0.00 9 9.09 15. total incomes 3 6.66 5 11.11 15 33.33 16 35.55 6 13.33 45 100.00 TOTAL ANSWERS: 23 100.00 15 100.00 34 100.00 22 100.00 5 100.00 99 100.00 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
C. Inhabitants’ trips
83. Inhabitants often visit populated settlements of oblast, Bishkek, and during summer time Issyk-Kul and other oblasts. Merchants go to China for goods. Fare for going by bus to Bishkek for person is 300 som, by taxi 450-500 som. Trip prices vary depending on change of diesel oil price. Cost for ton of load from Bishkek to At-Bashy comprises 2000 som. 1 cattle transportation to Bishkek market costs 1000 som.
Histogram 10. Inhabitants’ trips in oblast
34,30%
27,40%
23,50%
10,40%
4,40%
Several Every w eek Several Every m onth Several tim es per times per tim es per w eek m onth year
Histogram 11. Inhabitants’ trips to Bishkek
Several times per year 70,70%
Every month 15,60%
Several times per month 12,90%
Every week 0,80%
Several times per week 0,00%
27 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
Goal of trips
84. People make trips to sell their agricultural production (5,1%), buy different goods (clothes and products) (10,2 %), with assignment and to attend various seminars (31,8%) and cultural places (13,2%), with their private business and other matters (31,6 % and 8,1%).
D. Attitude of population to reconstruction of Bishkek-Torugart road
85. 92,1 % of questioned people said that Bishkek-Torugart road needs to be repaired.
86. During focus group discussions participants expressed their attitude to road and estimated its state as follows: “There is almost no asphalt cover on the road. Trucks entering from China with cargo go to Bishkek and along with road ecology is spoiled, many discharges pollute atmosphere.” (Focus-group in mixed group).
87. “In fact condition of the road is very bad. Once again there is a problem of Chinese trucks conveying cargo overweighting 3-4 times. It is possible all of you observed that on the way Chinese trucks break, leave the ranks and stand on the road, making traffic jam for other cars. Some drivers trying to go over such traffic jams find wreck and there are many such cases. Chinese trucks should convey cargos to this terminal and our trucks will convey these cargoes further to Bishkek in accordance to weight standard, and as a result of it conditions of the road would not be worse and people would be employed.” (Focus-group in mixed group).
88. “Imported products would be conveyed in a good condition if the road would be good. In our At-Bashy village vegetables and fruits do not grow and being conveyed such products lose quality. Children sometimes have diseases eating such low qualitative products. Especially it is difficult to travel for long distances with children, transport often damaged. (Focus-group in mixed group).
89. “We often go to center of the oblast and Bishkek, it is so dangerous. All roads destroyed and goods spoiled”. (Focus-group in women’s group)
E. Expectations from reconstruction of Bishkek-Torugart road
Questioned people envisage the following benefits from improvement of the road:
Benefits from reconstruction of the road Number % Volume increase of cargos conveyed 20 19,6 Decrease of conveyance time 18 17,3 Better safety of products 16 16,0 Decrease of accidents 32 30,7 Decrease of breakage of transport means 17 16,3
90. Participants of questioning and focus group discussions marked that as a result of the road reconstruction, communication between settlements will be improved, and trips will be comfortable and safe. As a participant of focus-group said: “Passengers from Bishkek get to At-Bashy for 6 hours, after improvement of the road the time will decrease to 3 hours and people will get home earlier.” (Focus-group in mixed group).
28 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
Histogram 12. Influence of Bishkek-Torugart road on socio-economic state of population
53,70%
43,00%
3,30%
Communication T rips w il be safe Roadside trade between villages, and comfortable will appear oblast center and capital w ill be improved
91. Nobody of questioned persons does not doubt that reconstruction of the road will contribute to economical growth, number of goods and cargoes will be increased, commodity turnover will speed up and communication between settlements will increase, trips will become safer, comfortable and so on.
92. “People dealing with cattle breeding face the problem of sale of their production. Earlier farmers sold meat to Naryn meat plant and now we know that market demand makes its requirements. To sell its production farmers need to leave, and after reconstruction of the road it will be much easier for farmers to go and sell meat, wool”. (Focus-group in mixed group).
F. Social groups which will benefit
93. As participants of focus group discussions noted reconstruction of the road will bring benefits for all groups of population. · For pensioners, poor families, students, pupils. They cannot often go somewhere because of high prices for trip. Prices for trip will be cheaper with improvement of the road; · For peasants and farmers: their agricultural production will reach large markets faster and less spoiled; · For physicians of ambulance they will get to sick people in a remote fields; · For sick people and pregnant women, they will get to hospital easier and faster; · For businessman, volume of conveyed goods will be increased and hastened; · For drivers of trucks engaged in passenger’ transportation; · For employees of road maintenance unit (RMU); · For tourists.
29 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
94. Questioned people consider that reconstruction of the road will bring some benefits for poor people: “Firstly it is favorable for poor layers of population. We would often visit relatives, send children to Bishkek for cultural development” (focus-group in mixed group)
G. Women’s attitude to road reconstruction.
95. At focus grouped discussions women actively demonstrated their positive attitude to reconstruction of Bishkek-Torugart road. “Problem of road is very sharp for women. We often go to oblast center, Bishek and all roads destroyed, it is dangerous. Because of unlimited jolting on the road, women’s health is damaged. Goods that we buy spoiled during transportation and we have no trade.” (Focus-group in women’s group)
96. “Teacher loses various seminars and competitions due to long and bad road sometimes. There were cases when we have to be in traffic jams for hours and went back home because of heavy Chinese trucks turned over. Road is especially important for drivers owing to overloading of the road they have to feel difficult. Cars often and quickly break. For infinite worries women’s pressure sometimes increase. There were cases when cars broke down and pregnant women gave birth exactly on the way without reaching hospital». (Focus - group in women’s group).
97. “Mainly women are engaged in trade, I am a businesswoman. Goods would save their quality, assortment of products in sell get richer and trade would be better if the road would be improved”. (Focus-group in women’s group)
98. It is necessary to note that government’s undertaken measures to provide equal rights for man and women on labor market generally allowed to create conditions and infrastructure to adapt women to market economy, predetermined gender approach in forming of policy in the sphere of employment.
H. Negative consequences of road rehabilitation for women
99. All participants of focus group discussions marked that women as well as all population do not see negative consequences of road reconstruction. Only two women noted following possible negative consequences of road rehabilitation.
100. “It is possible that number of accidents will increase since drivers will start to drive cars with high speed. Number of tourists will increase and they could bring various diseases and advocate ideas inadequate for our mentality.” (Focus-group in women’s groups).
101. “Also tourists could bring skin and venereal diseases”. (Focus-group in women’s group).
J. Requests of population for road designers
102. During questioning there were various requests for designers of the road as follows: § To construct qualitative road § Road should respond to all technical requirements and standards § During rehabilitation work to attract local engineers and workers § To take into consideration international standards at reconstruction of the road § To attend local not only foreign companies to a tender
30 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
§ Road maintenance unit employees should regularly attend places where rehabilitation work is in process for effectiveness of work
V. Village inhabitants’ opinion on results of questioning and focus group discussions. Kara-Suu village.
Table 5.1 Educational level of respondents
1. Higher education 10.3% 2. Incomplete higher education 3.0% 3. Specialized secondary education 20.0% 4. Secondary education 63.3% 5. Incomplete secondary education 3.4% 6. Elementary education 0.0% 7. No education 0.0%
Majority of questioned have secondary and specialized secondary education.
Table 5.2 Occupation of the respondents
1. Farmers 13.3% 2. Entrepreneurs 3.3% 3. Representatives of local authority 6.6% 4. Pensioners 30.0% 5. Housewives 11.3% 6. Unemployed 15.3% 7. Others 13.3%
A. The most acute problems of the village
103. The most important measures to improve their life were named by the respondents.
Histogram 13. The most important measures of improvement
59,40%
38,90% 35,30%
21,70%
To improve water Roads with asphalt Provision of stable Health care quality supply system covering power supply
31 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
104. Among the problems that village inhabitants worry about are the following: road reconstruction, improvement of water supply system, provision of stable power supply, improvement of health care quality.
105. Participants of focus group discussions noted their attitude to road and estimated road condition as follows: “Along Bishkek -Torugart road Chinese heavy machines convey cargos which exceed 3-4 times than the carrying capacity of our roads. For this reason our roads long ago destroyed and they are in poor state. In Kara-Suu and Kara- Bylyn villages houses located along the road owing to constant shaking, vibrations are destroyed. Cracks appeared on the walls of houses”. (focus group in mixed group).
106. “Road reconstruction, provision of stable power supply, problem of drinking water, quality of medical service are the main problems of our inhabitants. But first of all we request to reconstruct road. Chinese heavy machines entirely destroyed our roads. Inhabitants of the houses which are located along the road Bishkek -Torugart suffer from strong noise, vibration, and their houses are destroyed. We wrote letters to the Ministry of Transport and Communication, to deputies so that they would take measures to these heavy machines”. (focus group in mixed group).
107. “For several years we are requesting the head of oblast administration, Ministry of Transport and Communication to visit us, to listen to people, to look our road and houses that are destroyed by Chinese machines. We request to take measures to Chinese heavy machines. There were attempts of some village inhabitants to close Bishkek –Torugart road so that government would pay attention to us, to our problems concerning Bishkek –Torugart road and would take measures to heavy machines”. (focus group in women’s group).
108. “Our farmers have problems with marketing of agricultural production. They have to sell agricultural production at a low price to middleman right from the field. High prices do not allow transportation of production to markets. Costs are not reworded”. (focus group in women’s group).
B. Types of economic activities and incomes of the population
Diagram 4. Main types of activities of village inhabitants
Construction and Sale and resale of repair of houses, goods buildings 3,6 Agricultural 2,9% processing Agricultural 0,5% production 32,8%
Cattle breeding 60,2%
32 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
109. Majority of the respondents have personal homestead lands, busy with stockbreeding and agricultural production (93%). Expensive transportation costs do not allow farmers selling their product themselves, that is why products are sold wholesale right from the fields to middleman.
100. The main occupation of rural population are stockbreeding and plant cultivation. Majority of the population has cattle, horses, sheep and goats.
111. Focus groups participants stated that family income is only enough to cover necessary needs.
33 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
Table 5.3 BREAKDOWN OF ANSWERS OF QUESTIONNAIRE ON DISTRIBUTION OF INCOMES PER FAMILY, KARA-SUU VILLAGE page 1
less than 5000-10000 10001-20000 20001-40000 More than 40000 total 5000 Answers number % number % number % number % number % number %
INCOMES OF A FAMILY PER YEAR (som) 1. salary 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 8 15.38 8 5.79 2. pension 0 0.00 0 0.00 4 20.00 2 3.33 6 11.53 12 8.69 3. allowance 0 0.00 0 0.00 4 20.00 8 13.33 2 3.84 14 10.14 4. from rent of transportation vehicle 0 0.00 0 0.00 2 10.00 4 6.66 0 0.00 6 4.34 5. from rent of land 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 6. other incomes 0 0.00 2 33.33 0 0.00 4 6.66 4 7.69 10 7,24 7. from sales of grain 0 0.00 0 0.00 2 10.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 2 1.44 8. from sales of potatoes 0 0.00 2 33.33 6 30.00 10 16.66 8 15.38 26 18.84 9. from sales of hay 0 0.00 0 0.00 2 10.00 8 13.33 4 7.69 14 10.14 10. from sales of meat 0 0.00 2 33.33 0 0.00 8 13.33 6 11.53 16 11.59 11. from sales of wool 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 6 11.53 6 4,34 12. from sales of milk 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 8 13.33 6 11.53 14 1014 13. from sales of butter 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 8 13.33 2 3.84 10 7,24 14. from sales of other products 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 15. total incomes 0 0.00 2 6.66 10 33.33 8 26.66 10 33.33 30 100.00 TOTAL ANSWERS: 0 0.00 6 100.00 20 100.00 60 100.00 52 100.00 138 100.00
34 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
C. Trips of village inhabitants
112. Village citizens several times a week are traveling over oblast and to Bishkek. As focus group discussions participants noted: people go to visit their children who live and work or study in Naryn, Bishkek, as well as to see their relatives, on business trips or to receive medical help to Bishkek.
Histogram 14. Inhabitants trips over oblast
Several times per 28,20% year
25,00% Every month
Several times per 34,40% month
6,20% Every week
Several times per 6,20% week
Histogram 15. Inhabitants trips to Bishkek
68,50% Several times per year
17,80% Every month
Several times per 13,70% month
35 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
D. Village inhabitant’s attitude to reconstruction of Bishkek-Torugart road
113. All questioned (100%) noted that condition of Bishkek-Torugart road is poor and reconstruction is extreme necessity.
From the road reconstruction questioned population envisage the following benefits:
Benefits from reconstruction of the road Number % Volume increase of cargos conveyed 16 22,2 Decrease of conveyance time 12 16,6 Better safety of products 5 7,4 Decrease of accidents 10 12,9 Decrease of breakage of transport means 30 40,9
114. “Reconstruction of Bishkek-Torugart road is extremely important and will give considerable results to all people. For sure, first off all it will be easier for drivers and merchants. Produced products will be transported quickly and with fewer losses”. (Focus group in mixed group).
E. Attitude of women to reconstruction of road
115. “Road reconstruction will positively influence on village development. People will buy good cars. Tourists will be here more often that, in turn, will promote trade”. (Focus group in women’s group)
116. “We will often go to Bishkek as it will take less time for trip”. (Focus group in women’s group)
117. “It would be easier for women busy in trade sphere go for goods. Sick person, pregnant women will be able to go long distance trips”. (Focus group in women’s group)
F. Expectations from Bishkek-Torugart road reconstruction
118. All the respondents think that road reconstruction is extremely necessary. As a result of the road reconstruction, communication between settlements, oblast center and the capital of the country will be improved, trips will be safer.
36 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
Histogram 16. Impact of Bishkek-Torugart road on socio-economic condition of the population
46,80%
39,60%
13,60%
Improved Trip will become A side roade trade w ill com m inication convenient and safe appear between villages, oblast center and capital
119. Focus groups participants noted the following benefits from the road reconstruction: “Transportation service costs will be lower, trips will be safer”. (Focus group in mixed group).
120. “With the road improving it will be easier for farmers go and sell their products, this is time and money saving”. (Focus group in mixed group).
G. Requests of the population to the road designers
121. Discussions participants spelled out the following requests to the road designers. “All of us, citizens, express opinion that the road would be constructed with good quality. We thank in advance all the people who are involved and will be involved in the road reconstruction. That road would be up to all the requirements. Road carrying capacity needs to be taken into account. We hope that funds allocated for the reconstruction of the road will be spent for purpose” (Focus group in mixed group).
122. “We hope that road designers will follow all norms and requirements and the road will serve for many years”. (Focus group in mixed group).
123. “It is desirable whenever possible to increase carrying capacity, install signs, speed limitation signs”. (Focus group in mixed group).
124. Thus, Bishkek-Torugart road has great importance for the citizens of Kara-Suu village, through which this road is going; great expectations are connected to the road reconstruction.
37 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
VI. Contribution of the Project into general economic growth
A. The project impact on poverty
125. It is expected to have creation of new jobs for local population during rehabilitation period and therefore, poverty mitigation.
126. Income will be generated by local transport companies and car owners, which will be involved in transportation of construction materials from the place of supply till the building ground.
127. During rehabilitation measures the Project can support farmers through buying food (meat, milk, airan (type of yoghurt), potato, onion, carrot and other required produce) from them on the contract basis to own constructors
128. It is preferable interference (support) of the Project by lending micro credits to the women- led families who are involved in small commercial businesses and service industries. It will promote reanimation and extension of roadside business and increase of their income. In the area of intended rehabilitation of the roads, roadside sales outlets are established spontaneously without any official authorization-based documents. Small-scaled traders or unemployed with small income sources have constructed simple premises, covered with awning for protection from sun and wind. With the help of micro credits, they could be able to construct good quality premises and officially register their businesses.
B. Direct and indirect groups of beneficiaries
129. Potential beneficiaries could be divided into 2 groups. Such classification is based on the analysis of benefit nature per each group.
130. Direct beneficiaries from the Project area: - Rural population (mainly farmers). The Project is aimed at poverty reduction while majority of the rural population is poor. All rural population deals with livestock rearing and growing of agricultural produce. For them it is a mean of livelihood and commercial activity. Almost each household produces surplus of different types of products for the purpose of their sale. Field studies (family income table) show that farmers sell surplus of their produce, including potato, meat, hay, wheat, milk and other products. Rehabilitation of the road sector infrastructure will make direct contribution in poverty alleviation by reduction of costs for transportation and improved storage of agricultural produce.
- Traders bring goods (food and industrial) from Bishkek and sell in local markets. Well-off traders go to China themselves and sell them in wholesale to small traders. Their trips will become more suitable and safer as well as transportation cost will be decreased due to good quality road.
- Drivers, car owners will get essential benefit from reduction of their car repair costs as well as less utilization of fuel as a result of good road.
- Workers of the Rehabilitation project, hired by contractor out of the local population. It is unquestionable, that these people will get economical benefit during the period of construction works.
38 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
131. Indirect beneficiaries from non-Project area: - Rural population beyond the Project area. - Passengers, tourists, drivers from other areas. - Commercial traders (local and Chinese), dealing with transportation of different types of goods from China (fruits, rice, flour, varnish and paint materials, construction materials, textile and others) as well as to China (mainly metal, wool, skins of cattle). - Subpurchasers-intermediate persons, dealing with buying up agricultural products and livestock from the population of the Project area.
VII. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
A. CONCLUSIONS
132. The survey has proved social and economic estimations – more than a half or rural population lives below the poverty line, they do not have enough money to buy the most required goods. Main identified problems of rural population: lack of drinking water; unemployment; irregular electric power supply; bad condition of road network. These problems attendance has been indicated as a priority.
133. Automobiles are the main means of transportation for local population. Almost all of the respondents believe that Bishkek-Torugart road reconstruction is an absolute necessity. As a result of reconstruction, transport communication between settlements, between the north and the south and between the states will improve.
134. The main benefits that population will obtain as a result of road reconstruction are as follows: - convenient and safer trips; - prices for trip will be cheaper with improvement of the road; - agricultural production will reach large markets faster and less spoiled; - volume of conveyed goods will be increased; - decrease of goods and agricultural production conveyance time and better safety of products; - less expenditure of fuel; - more rapid and safer communication between settlements, administrative center and the capital; - decrease of accidents; - decrease of breakage of transport means; - and others.
135. All population will obtain economic benefits, first of all those people whose activity is directly connected with road: - drivers of trucks busy with the transportation of goods and agricultural products; - car drivers busy with the transportation of passengers; - employees of road maintenance unit (RMU); - merchants, “shuttles” (transportation will be more quick, volume of cargo will be increased); - peasants (farmers): agricultural products that they grow after the road reconstruction will be delivered to big markets of Naryn, Bishkek, Tokmak cities and Kazakhstan faster with less losses;
136. Women and men will equally obtain benefit from road rehabilitation. In such zones as access to public health, education and market impact of project will be gender neutral.
39 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
137. Our expectations that the road reconstruction negative impact will be minimal to the population got their confirmation and will not greatly affect the way of rural life of people, residing along the road. Increased traffic incident fears bear no grounds subject to weak arguments, at the contrary, namely bad road condition triggers car crashes and road incidents – the road reconstruction would facilitate traffic incidents decrease.
B. RECOMMENDATIONS:
Job creation for local population
138. The poverty rate in Kyrgyzstan is high. Every second (45,9%) is poor and every seventh (13,4%) person is extremely poor. In Naryn oblast where the survey was conducted the poverty rate is very high: poor people constitute 66,3%, extremely poor 30,7%, i.e. out of 5 persons 3 persons are below the poverty line and each third is of extreme poor.
139. Economic crisis in the country created the high level of unemployment both among women and men. During the period of road rehabilitation contractors should involve local population in rehabilitation work. They should involve unemployed and part-time workers for unskilled and semiskilled works through rayon and rural administrations.
Project impact on women
140. Official statistics of unemployment certainly does not reflect real state of affairs: level of unemployment several times higher than official. Unemployment is especially high in rural areas, where the level of poverty is highest. Moreover the fact that women as a rule don’t register officially as unemployed should be considered, preferring in cases of job absence traditional role of housewife.
141. Conducted surveys (interview and focus - group discussions with rural population) showed that women are interested to participate in works during rehabilitation period. Women of design zone could work as bookkeepers, cashiers, office- managers, kitchen workers, drivers and also to carry out other forms of physical labor to defined if there will be such possibility.
Necessary conditions for development of trade and sphere of services
142. Activity of small merchant-women which could be observed almost in all sections of road, witnesses initiative and responsibility level for their families. Mainly women involved in trade and sphere of services, and they will be direct beneficiaries from road improvement.
143. Families headed by women involved in trade and sphere of services need aid from the side of Project for increasing volume of their income. Since they will also make tangible contribution to the economy of design zone. Therefore creation of Micro-Credit Program “Support of woman- entrepreneurs busy with trade and sphere of services” for poverty reduction will contribute to reanimation of trade and roadside business.
144. Micro-crediting program will effectively impact on economic sanitation and poverty reduction in Project area. Such interference (aid) could be made by Project. The results of Project impact on poverty reduction could be divided for 2 stages: 1. First stage of impact (approximately in 1-2 years). 2. Second stage of impact following 3-4 years. Target group (recipients of micro-credits) of design zone could improve standards of living yearly at these stages. It is in more detail showed in the table below.
40 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
Table
Micro-crediting Benefit Source of Responsible Timetable program on information institutions poverty reduction “Support of woman Road rehabilitation will increase Focus-group To create After a year of entrepreneurs busy transport flow, development of discussions “Association of Project with trade and roadside infrastructure (Gas station, woman-entrepreneurs implementation sphere of services” auto repair shop, cafe, shopes, busy with completion hotels and other). Roadside business trade and sphere will be revived and sale of goods of services” through Social- will increase, income of population Project implementing economic involved in this business will also Agency. monitoring of increase. the program New job vacancies will open for should rural population, that will decrease be conducted level of poverty in Project area. after 2 and 4 years
Preventive measures for HIV/AIDS
145. Major part of the Project road is located in Naryn oblast where surveys were conducted. According to available data no cases of HIV/AIDS revealed in Project area. As for January 1st 2007, 1070 HIV infected registered. Great number of HIV infected registered in Osh (36,2% out of total number over republic). In Osh oblast (15,8%), Bishkek city (47,9%), Chui oblast (16%) and Jalal-Abad oblast (11,5%).
146. No one could guarantee and say that there will be no HIV/AIDS in Project area. Project could be conducing to an increase of such risk by means of large number of working migrants occupied in rehabilitation works. Therefore project contractor should bear main responsibility for information of employees about HIV/AIDS, since during construction works different people will be hired. Contractor’s necessary term as employer of labor should be employees HIV/AIDS medical certificate.
147. Contractor required hiring medical person for permanent work, who will perform educational-information activity on HIV/AIDS among employees of rehabilitation Project. Medical person should assume the responsibility of employee’s medical examination to HIV/AIDS regularly once in six month.
148. HIV/AIDS is one of the reasons for strengthening of work with young people. Within the framework of rehabilitation project it is necessary to conduct a sociological survey in rural schools of project area.
149. Goals and objectives of sociological survey could be designated as follows: 1. To reveal the state of healthy life-style propaganda, teachers and pupils awareness about HIV/AIDS. 2. To reveal opinions and assessments of pupil concerning volume and quality of information on HIV/AIDS preventing, desirability of delivering such information, specific questions to which they would like to get an answer.
41 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
150. It is intended to conduct sociological survey by questioning of teachers and pupils (for pupil anonymous questionnaires), interview with pupils and teachers, and also by experiment with special testing form for teachers and pupils on questions of HIV/AIDS preventive measures. Questioning of teachers and pupils by special questionnaire will enable to reveal school’s state of work in this direction, and testing – teachers’ awareness level in HIV/AIDS issues. Interview with pupils and their parents will enable to learn about alternative sources of information on these issues and quality of this information.
Preventing human trafficking
151. Road rehabilitation and its improvement could lead to increased risk of human trafficking. Until recently population of Kyrgyzstan did not recognized this problem. Complexity of problem consists in fact that human trafficking bears latent nature, it begins in one country and overs in another. The real number of labor exploitation victims or involved by force in prostitution is unknown, official data is scanty. There is no facts of culprits attraction to criminal responsibility. But this circumstance should be considered not as the consequence of absence of such problem in the region but on the contrary its undecidedness and lack of study.
152. However, on the numerous announcements on hiring for work abroad it is obvious that trafficking converted to underground business received its dissemination in all regions of republic. Local or international NGOs could raise the problem of illegal departure of labor work force abroad and contemporary enslavement. Discussion of this problem should begin at level of villages, rayons and oblasts.
42 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
Appendix 1
Report
On meetings carried out with key officials during the first trip along Bishkek - Torugart road from June 2 to 8, 2008.
Purposes: - to inform key officials about the project - identify opinions of oblasts, rayons, ayil okmotu heads and other interested persons about impact of the project on social sphere - identify the assumed benefits and possible losses in connection with the forthcoming rehabilitation of Bishkek - Torugart highway - obtaining permission for statistical data.
The following questions were discussed during meetings:
· For what groups of population or organizations Bishkek –Torugart road has important significance? · Is there any group of people that will lose anything in connection with improvement of road or an increase in the transport flow? · What are the possible anticipated difficulties as a result of the road rehabilitation? How to obviate difficulties?
During discussions I also requested participants of meetings to estimate the quality of road in the region or settlement, to name the most noticeable effect from highway rehabilitation.
List of interviewed persons
№ Oblast/town Position Name, surname rayon/ayil okmotu/ village 1. Naryn oblast Deputy governor of Naryn oblast Esenamanova Saltanat
2. Naryn town Akim (Head) of Naryn rayon Medetov Ishenbek administration 3. Naryn town Head of organizational department atUsenov Tazabek Naryn rayon administration 4. Naryn town Vice-mayor of Naryn town Nurmambetov Kubanychbek Naryn town Head of industry, construction, and Maatkalykov Jumaly transport department under Naryn town administration 5. Naryn town Head of Naryn rayon statistical Shokenov Bakytbek department 6. At-Bashy rayon Deputy Akim (1st deputy head) of Kozubekov Timur rayon administration 7. At-Bashy rayon, Kara-SuuExecutive secretary of ayil okmotu Chakeev Batyrbek ayil okmotu 8. Naryn rayon, Kazan- Executive secretary of ayil Tashieva Saltanat Kuigan ayil okmotu okmotu
43 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
9. Naryn rayon, Kara- Village headman Sultanaliev Sheishenbek Chii village of Jerge- Tal ayil okmotu 10. Naryn rayon, Ottyk Head of Onarcha ayil okmotu Mambetaliev Azamat village 11. Kochkor village Chief inspector of Naryn customs Sagynbaev Joldoshbek,
Senior inspector of Naryn Osmonov Almazbek customs
Opinions of meeting participants on road condition
Everyone noted the extremely poor, emergency state of Bishkek - Torugart road.
Importance of Bishkek – Torugart road for settlements
All meetings participants noted the importance of Bishkek - Torugart road. They noted this problem as the 1st according to the degree of importance for entire region. In Naryn oblast Bishkek - Torugart road is the only connecting thread with administrative center, other oblasts of republic and capital.
Meetings participants named the following most effective indicators after the reconstruction of road:
· Reducing of time for transportation of goods and agricultural production, its best safety. · Increase in the number of passengers · Less consumption of gasoline · People will buy good cars owing to good quality of road · Payment for trips will decrease due to quality of road · Increase in traffic volume · More quick and safer communication between settlements and administrative center and the capital. · Increase in the number of tourists and new possibilities for the development of consumers services sphere · Decrease of accidents number · Decrease of a breakdown in transportation means · Improvement in communication between settlements · Increase in the volume of transportable loads · Decrease of damaged production volume during transportation
Thus, Bishkek -Torugart road has important significance for settlements through which it passes, and great expectations are connected with the reconstruction of road.
Social groups that will benefit
As participants noted reconstruction of road will bring benefit to all groups of population. However, they noted that some groups of population will obtain more benefit. These group more than others are interested in road reconstruction. These groups are the following:
44 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
· Truck drivers, engaged in transportation of goods, agricultural products; · Car drivers, engaged in passenger transportation; · Employees of road-and-maintenance unit (RMU) · Merchants, “shuttle” traders (transportation of goods will improve and the volume of transported goods will increase) · peasants (farmers): agricultural products, produced by them will be transported quickly to big markets in Naryn town, Bishkek city, Tokmak town and Kazakhstan; fruits and vegetables with better safety will be transported to the north, to Naryn oblast;
Positive consequences as meetings participants noted:
· The realization of project will make it possible to the certain degree to solve the problem of unemployment in those regions, through which road Bishkek -Torugart passes · The quality of road will correspond to international standards and number of accidents will decrease · Tourism development
Answer for question about social groups which will lose in connection with the reconstruction of road is “No one will lose anything”.
45 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
Appendix 2
Public Hearing conducted by socio-ecological group on Small-Scale Technical Assistance for CAREC Road I (Bishkek-Torugart Road) project
Date: June 16, 2008 Venue: Naryn town of Naryn oblast Target population: 34 people from At-Bashy, Naryn rayons and Naryn town including vice- mayor, senior officials from rayons administrations and city administration of Naryn town, heads and engineers of Road Maintenance Unit, specialists from educational and social protection fields, architects, constructors, journalists of oblast and rayon newspapers and others.
Participants opinions on the road condition All participants of meetings have pointed extremely emergency condition of the Bishkek-Torugart road.
Importance of the road for settlements
Participants of meetings have pointed that in Naryn oblast the road Bishkek-Torugart is the only one linking road with the administrative center and other regions of the republic and the capital. During public hearing it was also pointed to importance of the road Bishkek-Torugart. It was marked as 1 rate important problem for the population of oblast.
Expectations of the meeting participants on social and economic benefits as the result of the road Bishkek-Torugart reconstruction
During meetings it was revealed that reconstruction of the road Bishkek-Torugart is the barest necessity and it will give evident economic benefits to all oblast population first of all to people whose activity is directly related to:
· Truck drivers involved in agricultural and other agricultural products transportation; · Drivers occupied with passengers; · Persons who wish to invest money to roadside services (Fuel Stations, auto repair service, café); · RMU employees (they are directly connected to the road activities); · Merchants and “shuttle” traders (accelerated goods transportation and increased volume of transportation); · Peasants (farmers): the products they are growing will then be faster and with less losses delivered to the northern territory.
During meetings the opinion of the population is revealed on effect of project realization on poverty reduction in the regions and life improvement of the population.
The participants of meeting have pointed considerable labour resources in villages located along the section of the road Bishkek-Torugart that can be recruited on reconstruction of the road. Project realization will allow alleviation of problem acuteness of able-bodied adult citizen’s employment problems as they will be recruited for the road reconstruction. It will be a considerable reduction of the unemployment problems in these areas.
Participants of public hearing noted that population made request several times to reconstruct the road (Bishkek-Torugart) as well. They sent letters to Kyrgyz Republic Government, deputies and Ministry of Transportation and Communication.
46 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
Suggestions to the road designers
Discussion participants expressed the following suggestions to the road designers:
“All of us, citizens, express opinion that the road would be constructed with good quality. We thank in advance all the people who are involved and will be involved in the road reconstruction. That road would be up to all the requirements. Road carrying capacity needs to be taken into account. We hope that funds allocated for the reconstruction of the road will be spent for purpose. We hope that road designers will follow all norms and requirements and the road will serve for many years. It is desirable whenever possible to increase carrying capacity, install signs and speed limitation signs. To install weight for heavy duty trucks to take into account load on the road axis. Local workers should be invited to the construction of the road”.
Suggestions and Recommendations:
· During rehabilitation work to attract local engineers and workers · To pay attention to gender politics at inviting of local workers to the construction of the road; · To establish continuing unit under the Kyrgyz Republic Government for controlling road rehabilitation process with accessible and transparent information.
Feeder roads:
Participants from At-Bashy rayon noted an emergency condition of the main feeder road. This feeder road passes through At-Bashy (rayon center), Akjar villages and joins to Bishkek-Torugart route. It is of 12,5 km length. 9 settlements are connected to the road through At-Bashy and Karakoyun rivers, 3 settlements from the north-eastern side and 6 settlements from the south- western side of the valley connected as well. Participants noted that road is of considerable importance for rayon since supermarkets, gas stations, freight and passenger transportations are located at rayon center of At-Bashy and it requires reconstruction long ago as it is one of the major lines of region’s economic development.
Participants from Naryn town and Naryn rayon noted 16 km length road as a feeder road. The road begins from bridge where Bishkek-Torugart project road passes and goes along main street of Naryn town, further road connects with Ak-Talaa rayon. It is the single road to Ak-Talaa rayon which is settled by 31,5 thousand people. It also serves as single road to such enterprises as gold- mining industrial complex “Makmal”, “Turuk” brown coal field and hydroelectric power station of At-Bashy. Nurmambetov Kubanychbek, vice-mayor of Naryn town mentioned that Aga-Khan Fund promised to reconstruct 7 km of this road.
Public hearing showed a significant importance of Bishkek-Torugart road for oblast population and their expectations from the road rehabilitations are high.
47 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
Appendix 3
Interview with Kubanychbek Abdrakhmanovich Mamaev. The 1st deputy minister, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Transport and Communication
How you evaluate, on the whole, condition of the Bishkek -Torugart road?
Condition of Bishkek –Torugart road requires urgent reconstruction. Traffic volume grows and road lags behind the development of motor transport. Earlier there was no such intensity. Quantity of heavy machines by 5-6 axes is growing. Load for the road grew considerably in recent years. Reason to that is a large in-migration of population, increase in passenger and cargo transport flows to Bishkek as well as to Torugart and China. The parameters of road do not change, condition of road deteriorates while the parameters of motor transport increases, number of transportation means is growing. Road has long ago lost reliability and its resources have long ago been exhausted.
What sections of the road are of emergency state?
On this road there are many poor sections. These are Kyzyl-Bel, Char in Kara-Suu village in the area of Chatyr-Kul lake. There is permafrost and due to this frost heaves are formed. Poorest section is the Char pass. Road of the Kara-Suu village is destroyed because it is not provided with drainage system. Here the road is on ground level. After rain and during the melting of snows water flows directly along the road.
What are the most acute problems of design zone?
The first problem is road. The reconstruction of highway is necessary. It is necessary to connect Naryn oblast with Chui oblast and other oblasts, also to connect our country with neighboring countries as Kazakhstan and China.
What are the social and economic expectations of road reconstruction effectiveness?
Road rehabilitation will bring the essential economic benefits: traffic flow will increase, the volume of transportable loads will grow, infrastructure along the road will be improved, and quantity of traffic accidents will decrease. People will more frequently go for trips and carry cargos. The rehabilitation of Bishkek -Torugart road and also of feeder roads will contribute to poverty reduction in the region where the project will be implemented and also in the entire country as a whole, due to an improvement in the access of poor strata of society to the urban markets, expansion of the population employment and sphere of social services.
Inhabitants of the settlements that are located along Bishkek-Torugart road consider that road and their houses are destroyed by Chinese heavy machines. Could you give your comments on this opinion?
Heavy transport also impacts the road. Our people convey metal to China, increasing the board of machines. Passage of heavy machines is now limited and 44 tons of total weight allowed. There are four reasons which destroy their houses: The first, construction standards are not observed during building of houses, barns and other types of construction. The second, is the houses built without the foundation.
48 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
The third, even if there is a foundation then depth is not sufficient. In spring and in summer foundation makes differential settlement. Foundation must be lower than frost zone. The fourth, walls of houses do not have bonds. Mainly it is adobe houses. And another reason is that people too closely build to the road. It is necessary to observe the right of way.
What did serve as the reason for limitation of flow of traffic in old road section, in “Holodnaya voda” ?
In this section of road we revealed landslide activation. On November 5 of 2002 year there was special decree of the Kyrgyz Republic Government on unloading of landslide. According to this decree landslide unloading made by Railroad Department. As a result we limited traffic for buses of great capacity, cargo, heavy transportation means. On the turning to Burulday (103 km) trucks and buses are directed for road along the right bank of river which again is connected with basic road at the beginning of Boom gorge (117 km). Automobiles and minibuses in both directions pass along the old road.
Will the old road be closed after reconstruction?
After reconstruction of design road trucks, heavy machines and buses of large capacity will also pass along the same road, along which they pass now i.e. on detour road. Along the old road, on “Holodnaya voda” passage of automobiles and passenger minibuses will not be limited since there is people which deal with their business. They render commercial services to passengers, drivers, to tourists and others, and therefore there will be no limitations to automobile passage. As before they can drive along the old road.
49 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
Appendix 4
Focus-group discussion conducted with people occupied by trade in “Holodnaya voda” section of the road
This section of road is part of the basic route between Bishkek and Issyk-Kul, Naryn oblasts. Road is used intensively year-round. Traffic volume is especially intensified by summer time, when holiday season in Issyk-Kul begins. Cars and minibuses in both directions pass along this old road. This short section of road has important significance for inhabitants of Kemin rayon who deal here with trade for more than 15 years.
Moderator explained to participants of discussion about planned reconstruction of Bishkek- Torugart road. Also he explained that by pass road (turning on 103 km) and junction with the main route (117 km - beginning of Boom gorge) included in project and will be reconstructed. Basic reason for inclusion is threat of landslide in the old section of road and many road accidents.
Participants perceived this part of information with comprehension, they pointed out that in 2002 Ministry of Transport and Communication made a decision on prohibition of trucks and passenger vehicle passage along the old road because of crack on the road.
Another part of people both men and women noted that they do not believe in version about landslide threat. They expressed opinion that landslide will also threaten railway line which passes on the same mountain.
Discussion participants noted the following:
“People prefer to drive along this shorter, older road. This is customary and favorite place of passengers from the Soviet times. 25 trade putlets are located here. These are cafe, stalls, yourts. Each trade putlet provides 5 families. In 2002 State Motor Licensing and Inspection Department closed this road supposedly due to crack and landslide in this section of road. It continued for 2 months. And we went to 117 km where direction signs stand (intersection of by pass road with main route, beginning of Boom gorge) and burnt these indicators. There was inspector of Kemin State Motor Licensing and Inspection Department. We had conflict with this inspector because he did not permit passage of cars along the old road, we attempted to push down his car into river but we couldn’t. Later Ministry of Transport and Communication permitted passage of cars to one side only from Bishkek. Then we created commission of 5 people and sent them to Bishkek to Ministry of Transport and Communication for explanation of situation. They had meeting with Deputy Minister Mamaev K. As a result of meeting he permitted passenger minibus and cars passage in both directions which drive to Issyk-Kul and Naryn regions. Along the old road traffic volume is greater than on projected by pass road. Old road is more preferred road for the majority of people. Here stop passengers, drivers, tourists, deputies. People can have lunch, purchase cigarettes, beverages and other products. 10 trade putlest are working here on this route in winter time. Season begins in May and lasts till September. People, who make their business here, go to Bishkek for trainings. Trainings carried out by “Kyrgyz Republic’s Government Agency on Tourism”. These trainings are conducted for the purpose of educating rural inhabitants in customer support. We were trained to lay the table and customer support.
50 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
Economic problems of the country are obvious and similar to problems of other settlements. Unemployment is the main economic problem of the country. This problem became practically general during the decade of economic reforms. We, everyone who are trading here were employed before the country collapse but low salaries and unemployment forced us to find own business on this route. If Ministry of Transport and Communication will close this old road after reconstruction of new road then we all who are trading here will go to Bishkek and make meeting in front of Ministry of Transport and Communication. But if after reconstruction it will remain since now then we will work peacefully. It is sufficient to us if passage of vehicles and minibuses will be permitted”.
List of focus- group discussion participants
Name Age Basic specialty in which they Period of work in worked earlier this place 1. Guljan Sartova 54 Accountant 13 years 2. Baktygul Dosumbaeva 53 Librarian 12 3. Damira Abykeeva 53 Librarian 12 4. Baktygul Kenjebaeva 40 Librarian 15 5. Saadat Basylbekova 46 Nurse 15 6. Jibek Kenjebaeva 44 Nurse 13 7. Gulsaira Imanalieva 60 Nanny in kindergarten 16 8. Anarkul Alieva 44 Seller 17 9. Damira Duishenova 46 School teacher 16 10. Ryskul Chagataeva 37 School teacher 17 11. Salkyn Chynybaeva 49 School teacher 12 12. Damira Baizakova 48 Seller 11 13. Burulkan Kadyrova 55 Housewife 15 14. Nurbyby Alymbekova 47 Culture House employee 14 15. Cholpon Karacheva 39 Seamstress 16 16. Kanai Abdymechinov 30 Repairman 4 17. Indira Esengulova 37 Cook-технолог 16 18. Indira Abdysheva 35 Seamstress 16 19. Nurmat Abdyshev 34 Started to work here after 16 graduation from school 20. Samiika Ismailova 48 Nurse 17 21. Kyliipa Ismailova 52 Employee 17 22. Kalbubu Chagataeva 46 School teacher 12
51 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
Appendix 5
Naryn region General characteristic of the region. The main socio-economic indicators
Naryn region was established on December 11, 1970 (in 1939-62 it was called the Tien-Shan region). It is located in the South-Eastern part of the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic. It borders with the People’s Republic of China in the South-East. Its territory is 50,2 thousand km2. It is subdivided into 5 rayons, 1 town and 2 urban type settlements and 56 aiyl okmotu (village councils). Remoteness from the nearest railway station is 180 km. Regional centre is Naryn town.
Population. Population of the region is 266,0 thousand people. The Kyrgyz comprise 93,7% of population. There are also Russians, Uzbeks, Tatars, Ukrainians, etc. The most densely populated are the Kochkor, the Jumgal, the Naryn and the At-Bashy depressions and valleys.
Agriculture. Climate is sharp continental. Winters are severe and summers are relatively cool. Vegetation period is around 130 days. Agriculture plays the main role in economy. In the region there are 129367 he of irrigated land, which are supplied with a developed net of irrigation systems. Pastures and rangelands occupy 2354 thousand he. The Naryn region is a cattle-breeding region as opposed to other regions of the Republic. Cattle-breeding, sheep-breeding, yaks breeding are being developed on the basis of vast pastures. The area under yaks development in the region is 227 thousand he (the Ak-Sai. Arpa, Kara-Kujur, Song-Kul, Orto-Syrt pastures), allowing for maintenance of up to 20,0 thousand heads of yaks.
Industry. Industry of the Naryn region is represented by enterprises of energy, coalmining, food, milling industry and production of construction materials.
Hydro resources. Rivers possess big recourses of hydropower. HES with capacity of 40 M watt was put into operations on the River At-Bashi in 1970. Tributaries of the River Naryn are used mostly for irrigation. Large lakes are – the lake Songkel with fresh water and the lake Chatyrkel the water in which is a little salty and there are no rivers flowing out of the lake. The lakes are located at the altitude of over 3000 m.
Coal. In the territory of the Naryn region there are several coal deposits: Kara-Keche, Min-Kush, Kok-Moinock, Kashka-Suu. There are several coal deposits Donuz, Kokomeren-Sary-Kamysh in the Jumgal rayon. Also a deposit of gypsum Bak-Terek was explored in the region. It is located 45 km from Naryn. Average content of gypsum is 93,49%.
Transport. Automobile transport is well developed. Total length of roads is 3460 km, there of 537 km are of international, 1581 km are of national and 1342 km are of local significance. 9,3% of total length of roads are attributed to the third category, 64,4% are attributed to the fourth category. Automobile transport of the region (with taking into account volumes of transportation done by businessmen, physical persons, who are engaged in commercial transportation of goods) transported 732,2 thousand tons of goods in 2006, which comprises 92,5% to the level of the last year, including 17,8 thousand ton-by specialized transportation enterprises or 2,4% of total volume of transportation of goods. Rate of growth of goods transportation by specialized auto transport enterprises comprised 88,1%. All types of on-road transport transported 4963,5 thousand passengers, which makes up 85,1% of the level of the respective period of 2006, thereof transportation of passengers by automobile transport- 3935,8 thousand passengers.
Tourism. The Naryn State Reserve. In Naryn there are the following tourist routes: Naryn-Salkyn- Tor, Eki-Naryn and Naryn-Song-Kel.
52 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
Naryn town General characteristic of Naryn town. The main socio-economic indicators
Naryn town is the regional centre of the Naryn region. The population of Naryn is 46216 people. Distance to the railway station is 180 km (Balykchy town), and 7 km to the airport.
Structure of local self-government: Mayor’s Office and town Kenesh (council).
Table 2.2. Population and ethnic composition
People Ethnic composition People Total 46216 Kyrgyz 44108 Men 22546 Uzbeks 265 Thereof: 0-15 years of age 7924 Russians 135 16-17 1076 Germans 4 18-59 10876 Tatars 54 60 and over 670 Uigurs 221 Women 22670 Dungan 179 Thereof: 0-15 years of age 7871 Turks 26 16-17 1054 Tajiks 2 18-54 11255 Kazakhs 65 55 and over 1490 Turk(o)mans 5 Other nationalities 152 Source: Main social-economic indicators of Naryn town as of 01.01.2008. Official data from Naryn city administration.
Socio-cultural development of the town. Educational institutions
In the town there are the following cultural institutions: a house of culture, central town library, museum of arts, drama theatre, cinema, cinema-video-hall, 3 parks with playgrounds for children, museum of history, gas stations, hairdressers, Internet-clubs, various small repairs workshops, stores, numerous cafes. There are organizations and enterprises of various forms of ownership. There are private and governmental hotels, guest houses for foreigners.
There are institutions of physical culture and sports: a palace of sports, 8 sports halls, a stadium, 10 sports grounds, sports and health-improving centre in Naryn. The number of workers of physical culture and sports – 68 people.
In the territory of the town there are the following types of educational institutions: 5 pre-school institutions with total 908 children enrolled in them. The number of preschool teachers is 69. In the town there are 8 secondary schools and 8 schools of general education. The number of students in them is 8147 people, while the number of teachers is 595. Vocational schools where the number of students is 356 people, and the number of teachers is – 42. There are 3 secondary specialized educational establishments (SSEEs). The number of students in them is 897 and the number of teachers is 91 people. There is also the Naryn State University (NSU). The number of students at the Naryn State University is 3450 people, and the number of teachers is 356.
Healthcare
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Citizens of villages of the region travel to medical examination usually to the regional centre, because there modern medical equipment is available and experienced medical doctors are employed. The following medical institutions are operating in the regional centre in the territory of the town: Family Medicine Centre (FMC), 5 independent Family Group Practitioners (FGPs), medical treatment institutions of various profiles – 13, pharmacies – 18, number of medical doctors – 173, junior medical personnel – 486 people.
Social protection of population
The following categories of people are attributed to socially vulnerable strata of population: those who receive allowances due to low income – 1353 people, pensioners – 6259 people, disabled persons– 1326 (including disabled children –296), war ands labor veterans – 24 people, single mothers – 99, officially registered unemployed persons as of 1.06. 2007 - 2200 people.
Table 2.3. Employment of population
No Sectors Number of people (thousand people) Average annual number of employed population: 8088 Including by sectors of economy: 1. Industry and construction 1881 2. Agriculture and forestry 274 3. Transport and communications 440 4. Trade and public nutrition, logistics (material-and-technical 96 supplies and marketing and purchases 5. Healthcare, physical culture, social protection, education, 3445 culture and arts, science and science services 6. Apparatus of administrative bodies, public associations 1734 7. Crediting, insurance and pensions 159 8. Other sectors (housing and utilities sector), non-manufacturing types59 of consumer services, etc. Source: Main social-economic indicators of Naryn town as of 01.01.2008. Official data from Naryn city administration.
Economic indicators
The following enterprises are operating in the town: 21 enterprises on grain processing and bread production; 68 enterprises on fruit and vegetables processing (canning of vegetative agricultural products - jams, juices, confitures, winter salads, etc.); enterprise on leather and fur processing; 3 enterprises on mineral water, vodka, wine, beer, etc. production. Also there are furniture producing enterprises, 2 enterprises of light (textile and clothing) industry, big workshops for production of pasta, bakeries and other.
Table 2.4. Livestock population in 2005-2006.
Cattle Sheep and goats Horses Poultry
1.01.05 1.1.06 1.01.05 1.01.06 1.01.05 1.01.06 1.01.05 1.01.06 1342 1503 9389 10183 345 350 10961 9025
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Table 2.5. Production of agricultural products
Meat (ton) Milk (ton) Wool (ton) Eggs (thousand units) 1.01.05 1.01.06 1.01.05 1.01.06 1.01.05 1.01.06 1.01.05 1.01.06 681 722 1008 1079 8 20 384 386
As it is seen from the obtained statistical data, population has livestock – cattle, horses, sheep, goats (here it is allowed to keep them). In order to provide for subsistence people are engaged in raising domestic animals and in case of financial problems they sell cattle in the markets of the town. The number of cattle is the main criteria of defining an economic status of a household. People keep sheep and goats for the most part and we can observe the growth of its (population). Employed population of the town besides their salaries has several other sources of income: · livestock breeding (livestock is raised for household consumption and for selling), · agriculture, though the majority of population have very small land parcels.
The area of agricultural land is 3968 he. Thereof arable land– 73 he. Agriculture in urban area is difficult due to shortage of land and water for irrigation. It is difficult to produce good harvest of irrigated land due to shortage of water. The majority of families have very small parcels, adjacent to their households (4 sotka (one hundredth part) and grow a traditional “set” of products, which people usually grow on land parcels, adjacent to their households: these are for the most part potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic and other.
Table 2.6. Production of livestock products as of 1 January, 2008
Livestock products Volume of production in natural expression (ton) 1. Meat (slaughtered weight) 770 2. Milk 1120 3. Eggs (thousand units) 386,0 4. Wool (in physical weight) 25
Table 2.7. Engineering infrastructure development
No Utilities Number 1. Central heating 3 2. Telephone stations, substations 3 3. Number of telephone numbers, units. 4897 Thereof telephones in use of population (in apartments; transforming sub-stations 3616 4. Number of transforming stations 279 5. Communications enterprises (post office, telegraph) 8 6. Institutions, which have access to Internet 20 Source: Main social-economic indicators of Naryn town as of 01.01.2008. Official data from Naryn city administration
Since the town Naryn is the regional centre, there is a relatively well developed infrastructure.
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Ottyk village (Naryn rayon) General characteristic of the village
Ottyk village is the settlement of Onarchinskyi ayil okmotu (village administration) of Naryn rayon. Its territory is 118,8 km2. Rayon centre is at a distance of 30 km. Population of the village is 2976 people (as of 01.01.2008).
There are kindergarten, shops, drugstore, club, library, bath-house, post office, mill and sewing workshop in the territory of village. Number of pupils is - 385 persons and teachers - 37.
Table 2.8. Number of population and ethnic composition (number of persons)
1 Sex Number Male 1509 Female 1467 2 Age 0-7 years of age 609 8-16 752 17-65 1289 65 and over 326 3 Nationality Kyrgyz 2976 Source: data received from Onarchinskyi ayil okmotu of Naryn rayon
Agriculture
Total area of arable land is – 848 ha including irrigated arable land that is – 548 ha, dry land – 300 ha, hayfield – 66, pastures – 28 000 ha. Farms – 618.
Table 2.9. Production of agricultural products (per hectare)
№ Production of plant growing 2007 year 1. Grain 21,9 2. Potatoes 138,0 3. Vegetables 101,5
Table 2.10. Number of livestock
№ Sort of livestock Number of livestock 1. Cattle, including cows 2575 2. Horses 1419 3. Sheeps, goats 8894 5. Poultry 1061 Source: data received from Onarchinskyi ayil okmotu of Naryn rayon
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Livestock breeding and agriculture represents the primary source of income of rural population: raising sheep, cows, horses, poultry and raising grain, potatoes, vegetables and other. Village inhabitants sell surplus of their products.
Passenger transportation is mainly made by automobiles and minibus. Fare depends on season and prices are agreed.
At-Bashy rayon General rayon description. Main social and economic indices.
At-Bashy region was established in 1930. Territory area is 19.1 thousand square km. Distance to the oblast centre is 45 km and 230 km to the nearest railway station. At-Bashy region consists of 11 agricultural councils (ayil okmotu). Total number of region inhabitants is 52786 people. Number of householders is 12984 (on 01 January 2006).
Table 2.11. Main demographic indicators
Aiyl okot (village Villages Number of Total populationmen women Age administration) households under 16-50 50 years and 16 older 1. At-Bashy At-Bashy 2832 11309 5589 5720 3647 6662 1000 2. Ak-Jar Аk-Jar 1055 4363 2112 2251 1703 2194 466 3. Akmus Akmus 770 3504 1650 1854 1634 1250 620 4. Akmoun Akmoun 549 2335 1923 1808 1437 1924 370 Birlik 302 1396 5. Karasuu Karasuu 1252 4540 2776 2593 2067 2777 525 Dyikan 219 829 6. Karakoun Kyzyltuu 401 1539 1563 1484 1241 1511 295 Karabulun 344 1508 7. Kazybek Kazybek 892 3821 2461 2355 1655 2752 409 Janykuch 251 995 8. Aktalaa Kalinin 734 3048 2424 2317 1739 2577 425 Tereksuu 424 1693 9. Achakaiyndy Achakaiyndy 937 3715 1950 1765 1407 2016 292 10. Bashkaiyndy Bashkaiyndy 1002 4028 2578 2443 1900 2791 330 Bolshevik 216 993 11. Taldysuu 1-May 246 1007 Taldysuu 380 1490 1562 1608 1201 1669 300 Ozgorush 164 673
In rayon 12984 52786 26588 26198 19631 28123 5032 Source: Data received from rayon administration. All data as of 1.01.2008.
Table 2.12. National composition
№ National composition Number 1. Kyrgyz 52040 2. Russian 71 3. Uzbek 344 4. Uygur 188 5. Tatar 87 6. Other nations 56 Social protection of population
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Social transfers include unemployment payments, pension and additional payments for people with physical deficiencies, orphans, and other categories of population. After the independence system of social protection was undermined by financial crisis. There are following layers of population considered as socially vulnerable in At-Bashy village: recipients of benefits, pensioners, invalids, veterans of World War II, veterans of Afghan War, orphans, mother-heroes.
Economic indices. Agriculture
Total area of agricultural lands is 6388 hectares (h). Area of growing cultures: 1336 h for grain, 1996 h for barley, 1607 h for potatoes, 74 h for vegetables, 8522 h for long-lived herbs, 341 h for hay.
Table 2.13. Agricultural production (per hectare)
№ Production of plant growing 2006 year 2007 year products 1. Grain 16,3 23,0 2. Barley 15,7 21,8 3. Potatoes 141,5 140,2 4. Vegetables 82,2 97,4
Table 2.14. Number of livestock
№ Sort of livestock 2007 year 2008 year 1. Cattle, including cows 28222 28712 2. Sheeps, goats 156079 164043 3. Horses 20149 20271 5. Poultry 20978 17060 Source: data received from rayon administration. All data as of 1.01.2008.
Statistical data shows that cattle breeding are one of the interests yielding activity of population. Inhabitants mainly breed small cattle and livestock.
Table 2.15. Economic items
Name of agriculturalNumber Name of agricultural subjects Number machinery Catterpillar tractors 85 Seminal farms 7 Wheeled tractors 380 Pedigree breeding farms 4 Ploughs 123 Farms 1089 Seeding machines 67 Cooperative farms 27 Carts 207 Cars 101 Combine hatvesters 91 Mills 45 Other 14
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Infrastructure
Total length of roads in region is 732 km including 92 km of asphalt-covered roads. There are 20 post offices, 1728 telephone numbers. Length of water pipe system is 145,9 km. There are 19 medical centers (rural ambulance station, obstetrician and medical assistant centers) in the region. There are following educational institutions in the region: 21 secondary schools, 1 professional specialized school. Number of pupils is equal to 11623 persons, number of teachers - 1004 persons.
Irrigation
Total area of arable land is 32191 hectares including 28210 hectares of spraying area. Length of irrigation system is 482 km. Collector and drainage part is 115 hectares. Total of hydro engineering constructions is 264. Bridges and water distributive systems-48, wells-41. Operating roads -26,6 km. Round the clock water distribution pool, daily water distribution pool - 9.
General description of At-Bashy village
At-Bashy village is the administrative centre of At-Bashy region. Number of population is 12255 people, number of householders – 2847. Distance to the capital is 360 km, to oblast centre is 45 km.
Table 2.16. Number of population ranged by age
Number Persons Total population 12255 0-15 years 3980 16-59 years 7200 60 years and older 1075
Social and cultural objects of the village. Educational institutions
Since village is the region centre there is relatively developed infrastructure having 2 post offices, 2 clubs, 4 stadiums, 4 sporting halls, 2 hospitals, 3 secondary schools, 4 preschools (kindergartens), 18 shops, 5 cafe, 5 bazaars, 15 bath-houses, hairdressing saloon, different small repair shops, organizations and enterprises of different ownerships, private and state-owned inns, guest houses, also oil-press enterprise, 12 mills, 1 confectionary, bakery, cookie workshop.
Cattle breeding and farming are primary activities of people breeding sheeps, cows, horses, hens, and turkeys and growing grain, barley, potatoes, vegetables and other.
Passenger transportation mainly implemented by private cars and minibuses.
Kara-Suu village (At-Bashy rayon) General characteristic of the village
Kara-Suu village is the settlement of Kara-Suu ayil okmotu at At-Bashy rayon. Distance to rayon centre is 15 km and to oblast center 60 km.
On the territory of village there are 2 kindergartens, shops, post office, medical-obstetrical centre, village police station, library, 11 private bath-houses, 14 mills and secondary school. Number of pupils is 921 and teachers 70.
59 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
Table 2.17. Main demographic indicators
Number Households 1252 Population 4540 Women 2364 Men 2176 Under 16 year 1987 16-50 years 2311 50 years and older 242 Source: Data received from Kara-Suu ayil okmotu (village administration). All data as of 1.01.2008
Total area of arable land is 2901 ha including irrigated arable land – 2811 ha, dry land – 90 ha, hayfields – 1176 ha, pastures – 16451 ha.
Table 2.18. Number of livestock
№ Number of livestock Number of livestock in 2007 year in 2007 year 1. Cattle, including cows 2482 2569 2. Horses 1890 1893 3. Sheeps, goats 14203 15987 4. Poultry 2164 2300
Occupation of rural population is cattle breeding and agriculture: they have cows, sheep, horses, poultry, grow potato, wheat, vegetables and etc. Surpluses of their production is sold.
Private cars mainly do transportation of passengers. Payment depends on season and prices are negotiable.
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Appendix 6
SUMMARY POVERTY REDUCTION AND SOCIAL STRATEGY
Country/Project Title: Kyrgyz Republic / CAREC Transport Corridor 1 (Bishkek – Torugart Road) Project, Subproject 1
Lending/Financing Department/ Project CWRD/CWID Modality: Division:
I. POVERTY ANALYSIS AND STRATEGY A. Linkages to the National Poverty Reduction Strategy and Country Partnership Strategy
The ensuing project is one of the priority infrastructure projects identified in the Country Development Strategy for 2007- 2010 (formerly National Poverty Reduction Strategy). It is also listed as firm project in Country Strategy and Partnership for Kyrgyz Republic in 2008. Both ADB and the Government recognize the importance of regional cooperation to the landlocked Kyrgyz Republic, with trade, transport, and energy being the priority areas for socioeconomic development. The strategies support the Government’s approach to reducing poverty and reaching their Millennium Development Goals by balancing social goals with the need to stimulate growth through improving market access to rapidly growing neighboring markets and investing in agriculture to create economic opportunities in rural areas where most of the poor reside. The Project directly supports one of the goals in the country partnership strategy, which is to improve trade and road linkages with regional markets.
B. Poverty Analysis Targeting Classification: ______GI______1. Key Issues The Project is not a targeted poverty intervention. Nevertheless, by stimulating economic development, it will have significant poverty reduction impact and benefits. While the project aims to facilitate regional trade and thereby benefit major businesses and those involved in trade and commerce, it will also significantly benefit rural communities and especially rural poor.
2. Design Features. No specific pro-poor design features are included under the Project.
II. SOCIAL ANALYSIS AND STRATEGY A. Findings of Social Analysis
The Project will indirectly benefit 2.26 million people living along the road of which 51% are women dominant in intra and inter-oblast trades and commercial activities in the Kyrgyz Republic. Two of the three oblasts where the road passes have lowest poverty levels that are below national average of 46%. Extreme poverty in these two oblasts is almost double the national average figure of 13.5%.
The project road passes mostly through rural areas in Kyrgyz Republic where agriculture is the main source of income and poverty incidence is among highest in the country. Residents considered improvement of the road to be among their top priorities for development. Those to benefit most would be people whose livelihoods are directly linked to the road: truck owners and drivers, shuttles/taxi services, merchants, owners and employees of cafés, gas stations, maintenance shops, and farmers. Increased labor and trade mobility in the area will lead to increased incomes as well as employment opportunities for the local communities.
Overall, connectivity is seen as increasing transboundary transportation and tourism development augmenting local employment and incomes. The immediate benefits of the project are the opportunity for laborers in the road construction works.
Road improvement in the Kyrgyz Republic has special significance for the women as they are extensively involved in trading for supporting their families. Hence, the women are the major road users in the republic. Improvement of the road will put significant positive impact on these women providing increased self-employment. The potential negative impacts on women as suspected are increased threat of infecting with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and trafficking. Opportunities for women will be explored for income and employment in construction activities with equal wages, and their increased self-employment in business and trade.
B. Consultation and Participation
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1. Provide a summary of the consultation and participation process during the project preparation.
2. What level of consultation and participation (C&P) is envisaged during the project implementation and monitoring? Information sharing Consultation Collaborative decision making Empowerment
3. Was a C&P plan prepared? Yes No
During preparation of Stakeholders Participation Analysis, representatives of the Ministry of Transport and Communications and technical assistance consultants undertook socioeconomic surveys and public meetings at village, akimiat (village cluster), and/or rayon (district) levels. These surveys and meetings raised awareness and gained local support. There were extensive consultations with the local communities at Naryn and At-Bashi in selecting the final road alignment, and due consideration was given to technical, environmental, social, resettlement, and economic impacts of the selected road alignment. Consultations will continue throughout the project implementation to address implementation-related concerns and issues.
Based on the results of the consultations, the project does negatively impact people’s livelihoods, social and cultural habits of the local communities, incomes, and/or their way of participating in socioeconomic development activities, and therefore, does not involve sensitive social or participatory issues, nor there were concerns raised by the interested groups. Project stakeholders express general support to the project. No specific C&P was therefore required.
C. Gender and Development 1. Key Issues.
Gender assessment undertaken under Joint Country Support Strategy (2007-2010) did not identify infrastructure development projects as potential area to widen the gender inequality in the Kyrgyz Republic.
While women stand to benefit from the Project, they also are likely to experience potential adverse social impacts, including increased exposure to communicable diseases.
2. Key Actions. Measures included in the design to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment—access to and use of relevant services, resources, assets, or opportunities and participation in decision-making process: Gender plan Other actions/measures No action/measure
The project documents will have specific provisions to address (i) gender equality in employment opportunities related to civil works, (ii) non gender-based discrimination in labor standards, (iii) gender dimensions of possible negative externalities of increased risk of HIV/AIDS and human trafficking.
III. SOCIAL SAFEGUARD ISSUES AND OTHER SOCIAL RISKS
Issue Significant/Limited/ Strategy to Address Issue Plan or Other Measures No Impact Included in Design
Involuntary Resettlement Limited/No Impact All project activates will be limited Full Plan to existing right-of-way. No Short Plan resettlement or land acquisition Resettlement action is expected. Framework No Action
Indigenous Peoples Limited/No Impact The population of the project Plan influence area consists of (2005) Other Action Kyrgyz, Uzbek, and others Indigenous Peoples including Uygurs, Russians, Tajiks, Framework and Tatars. About 99 percent of the No Action population is Kyrgyz. Although cultures and languages of these groups differ, there are many similarities and historically they have lived in the same region. They are integrated in the same economic and social structure. Moreover, the project road alignment touches only the Kyrgyz settlement and none of them will
62 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
be affected.
Labor No Impact The project is expected to create Employment opportunities equal employment opportunities Plan Labor retrenchment for all social groups Other Action Core labor standards No Action
Affordability No Impact Project does not involve tolling or Action user-pay schemes and affordability No Action is not expected to be an issue. Other Risks and/or Vulnerabilities Limited Impact The Kyrgyz Republic is at early Plan HIV/AIDS stages of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Other Action Human trafficking HIV/AIDS has been identified, No Action Others(conflict, political however, as a potential risk. A instability, etc), please specify public awareness campaign for HIV/AIDS prevention will be included as part of the overall project management. The EA, with the help of project supervision consultants, will design specific linkages with national HIV/AIDS prevention programs and monitor implementation. Specific provisions will be included in the bidding documents for civil works requiring contractors to conduct health and safety program for workers employed under the project and the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. IV. MONITORING AND EVALUATION
Are social indicators included in the design and monitoring framework to facilitate monitoring of social development activities and/or social impacts during project implementation? Yes No
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Appendix 7
COUNTRY OVERVIEW
General Information
1. People
Population of Kyrgyzstan is 5.3 thousand person for the end of January 1st 2008., from which Kyrgyzes make 68.4%, Uzbeks – 14.3%, Russian – 9.5%, others – 7.8%. In Kyrgyz Republic live representatives of more than 80 nationalities. Children and teenagers make about 40% of country population. Average density of population makes 26 persons on one square kilometer. The most populated regions are Chuyskiy region and Bishkek city (on average 37 persons). State language is Kyrgyz, official language - Russian. The main religions are Islam (75% of the population) and Orthodoxy (20%). Literacy rate is 98%.
2. Geography
Kyrgyz Republic is located in northeast part of Central Asia. Borders in the north are with the Republic of Kazakhstan, in the West – the Republic of Uzbekistan, in the south-west – the Republic of Tajikistan, in the south-east - the People’s Republic China. The territory of Kyrgyz Republic ranges from West to East on 900 km, from North to South - on 425 km. The territory of Kyrgyzstan equals to 199,900 square km. Almost 90% of territory is located above 1500 m sea level. 53.9% of the territory of Kyrgyz Republic is occupied by agricultural lands, 5.3% - forests, 4.4% - water, 36.4% by other lands.
Kyrgyzstan - one of the high-mountainous countries of the world. Tien-Shan ranges are dominating in the mountain territory of the country. Average height of territory of the country is 2,750 meters above sea level, the highest point - Pobeda peak (7,439 meters above sea level), and the lowest - the Kara Darya (132 m). More than 90% of territory of the country is covered by mountains. The republic is rich with ores of color and rare metals, coal and other minerals.
Climate of the country is continental with cold winter and hot summer. Precipitations, basically, is concentrated in the autumn, in the winter and in the spring, and in the summer usually climate is dry. The country is rich with water resources. The rivers basically belong to system of the river Syr-Darya (the main river is Naryn). Naryn is the largest river in the region. On this river located the cascade of hydroelectric power stations supplying the most part of Kyrgyzstan and neighboring countries by electric power and irrigation water. There are many lakes in the country, the lagest of them is Issyk Kul.
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3. Administrative Division
Kyrgyzstan is divided into seven regions: Batkenskiy, Chuyskiy, Issyk-Kulskiy, Jalal-Abadskiy, Narynskiy, Oshskiy and Talasskiy. Each of the regions and their capitals divided into “ayil okmotu” (rural administrative department). Ayil okmotu –is the executive and administrative body accountable to ayil (rural) or public kenesh (council). Keneshs consist of local officials responsible for social activity and services and settle local questions on behalf of the population. Ayil okmotu represents the lowest level of state administration. They are supervised by elective persons.
Capital of Kyrgyz Republic is Bishkek city - the major economic, political, scientific, industrial, cultural and transport center of the country. Date of the basis: 1878 Territory: 127,3 square km. The population of Bishkek is nearby 1 million people.
Table 1.1. Territory and territorial administrations
Territory, Number of Number of administrative-territorial units thousand. people on 1 Districts towns Municipal Ayil keneshs Square km sq. km. (without Villages districts in cities) Kyrgyz Republic 199,91 26,0 40 25 28 444 Batken region 17,0 24,9 3 4 5 30 Jalal-Abad region33,7 28,9 8 7 7 68 Issyk-kul region 43,1 10,0 5 3 5 58 Naryn region 45,2 5,9 5 1 2 61 Osh region 29,2 36,7 7 3 2 86
1 Including territory of Bishkek and Osh City-Kenesh
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Osh …. ….. -- 1 -- 1 Talas region 11,4 18,9 4 1 1 36 Chuy region 20,2 37,5 8 4 5 104 Bishkek . …. -- 1 1 --
Source: National Statistic Committee of KR. Social tendencies of KR. Edition 3, Bishkek, 2008, p 20. Table 1.2. Population Main demographic indicators
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Total population (thsd. people) 4984,4 5037,3 5092,8 5138,7 5224,3 Urban 1729,9 1757,4 1790,6 1799,4 1842,3 Rural 3254,5 3279,9 3302,2 3339,3 3382,0
Source: National Statistic Committee of KR. Brief statistical handbook 2004-2007. Bishkek, 2008, p. 10.
Table 1.3. Number of permanent population on the territory (evaluation for the beginning of the year, thousand people)
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Kyrgyz Republic 4984,4 5037,3 5092,8 5138,7 5224,3 Batken Region 403,6 409,0 413,7 418,1 423,2 Jalal-Abad region 920,3 933,5 947,6 960,8 973,5 Issyk-Kul region 420,6 423,4 426,4 428,5 430,9 Naryn region 261,1 264,0 265,6 267,0 268,7 Osh region 1003,3 1017,9 1033,5 1049,2 1065,0 Talas region 208,1 210,5 212,1 213,6 216,0 Chuy region 751,4 752,1 752,8 752,3 756,7 Bishkek 772,0 778,4 790,7 798,8 806,3 Osh 244,0 248,5 250,5 250,4 249,5 Source: National Statistic Committee of KR, Social tendencies of KR. Edition 3, Bishkek, 2008, p 20.
4. Economy
After independence in 1991 Kyrgyz Republic has started parallel transition to democratic system of state managements and to the market economy. Donors and international financial institutions have supported reforms by loans and grants, which become powerful contribution to the budget. With 1992 to 2000 Kyrgyz Republic has received 1,7 billion USD as external assistance, which equivalent to 370 USD per person.2
The basis of national economy is formed by agriculture, which gives over third of GDP and in which half of economically active population is engaged, and industry (approximately 20 percent of GDP and 6 percent of employment).
2 UN System in Kyrgyz Republic. Kyrgyz Republic: overall assessment of country situation. Bishkek, 2003, p. 9.
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Main industries of economy are mining, hydropower industry, mechanical engineering, light and food industries. Significant share of GDP and employment take trade, transport and non-market services (education, health, etc).
Table 1.4. Main Social-Economic indicators (million soms)3
2004 2005 2006 2007 De jure population (as of the end of year), thsd.persons5092,8 5138,7 5189,8 5224,3 Gross domestic product 94350,7 100899,2 113800,1 139749,4 Volume of industrial production 55118,7 51216,6 54423,9 59222,2 Gross output of agricultural, hunting and forestry 58419,2 63379,5 72277,3 89717,0 products Fixed capital investment 10218,6 11594,6 18771,3 24385,5 Freight traffic by all types of transport, mln. tons 30,8 28,4 27,4 29,5 Retail trade turnover 46614,6 55494,5 68061,1 82348,9 Paid services for population 14267,0 16050,1 19691,8 26121,3 Monthly nominal wage of one employee (in soms) 2240 2613 3270 3990* Unemployed persons registered in state employment 58,2 68,0 73,4 71,3 services at the end of year, thousand people Consumer Price Index (CPI) for goods and services 102,8 104,9 105,1 120,1 (as of December of the previous year; in %) Foreign trade turnover4, mln. USD $ 1659,8 1773,3 2512,3 3551,2 Including: Export 718,8 672,0 794,1 1134,2 Import 941,0 1101,3 1718,2 2417,0 Minimal consumer budget (per capita, average 1725,93 1836,63 2377,24 2795,88 monthly)5, soms Source: National Statistics Committee of Kyrgyz Republic. Brief statistical handbook 2004-2007. Bishkek, 2008, p. 8-9.
Table 1.5. Living standards and social sphere The indices of basic indicators of living standards
2004 2005 2006 2007 Nominal average monthly wage per employee: 2240,3 2612,5 3270,0 3990,0* As a percentage to the previous year 116,9 116,6 125,2 122,0 2003=100 116,9 136,4 170,7 208,2 Real wage, per employee: As a percentage to the previous year 112,3 111,8 118,5 110,7 2003=100 112,3 115,6 148,8 164,8 Minimal consumer budget (per head, average monthly ): 1725,93 1836,63 2377,246 2795,88 As a percentage to the previous year 112,0 106,4 129,4 117,6 2003=100 112,0 119,2 154,3 181,5 Average monthly pension (given compensations): 714 775 906 1120
3 Data are in current prices 4 Without external trade carried out by physical persons ‘shutters” 5 Since 2006 Recalculated a per the technique approved by the Resolution of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic № 333 of 15.08.2007 6 The Resolution of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic № 333 of 15.08.2007
67 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
As a percentage to the previous year 107,8 108,5 116,9 123,6 2003=100 107,8 117,1 136,9 169,2 * Estimate
5. Employment of Economic Activity of Population
The level of economic activity (relationship of number of economically active population of certain age group to aggregate number of population of given age group) in the age of 15 years and older is 64 percent. Men are more active on the labor market than women. The level of economic activity of men is equal to 73 percent, and women - to 55 percent.7
In urban areas employment level lower, than in rural, which shows specificity of employment of rural population. Carrying out of land reforms when practically each rural family could receive land for usage, has allowed to solve problems with employment in the certain manner in villages. Almost all member of farming families are taking part in agricultural works.
Table 1.6. Distribution of employed population by type of economic activity and gender (according to survey of labor force in 2006; in percents)
Total Total number of employed population, in percents Men women Total, thousand people 2096,1 58 42 Agriculture, hunting and forestry 760,2 59 41 Mining industry 11,8 95 5 Processing industry 177,9 55 45 Production and distribution of electro energy, gas and 35,6 82 18 water Construction 181,4 96 4 Trade; repair of cars, household machines and consumer 308,4 51 49 goods Hotels and restaurant 49,0 30 70 Transportation and communication 120,2 84 16 Financial activities 9,5 44 56 Operations with immovable, rant and services to 36,5 54 46 customers State management 101,0 64 36 Education 152,9 26 74 Health care and social services 87,0 23 77 Municipal, social and personal services 48,8 51 49 Services for housekeeping 15,3 59 41 Source: National Statistics Committee of Kyrgyz Republic, Social Tendencies of Kyrgyz Republic. Edition 3, Bishkek, 2008, c.5.
7 National Statistics Committee of Kyrgyz Republic, Department on international development of Great Britain. Social tendencies of Kyrgyz Republic. Edition 1, Bishkek, 2005, p.44.
68 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
Independent employment got the greatest distribution in agrarian sector of the economy, where the process of re-structuring of agricultural enterprises has begun since the beginning of 90th years, accompanied with formation of individual farms. In 2007 workers of farm made three quarters of all population employed in agricultural sector.
6. Health
In 2007 on 10 000 people accounts 25 doctors and 57 workers of medical personnel. Now public health sector of Kyrgyzstan is financed from following basic sources: § state budget (national and local); § payments for MHI (mandatory health insurance); § programs of state investments; § payments from pocket.
Table 1.7. Expenditures on Health
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Expenditures on health: 1527,2 1629,9 1925,6 2283,3 3059,2 Mln. soms In% to GDP 2.0 1.9 2.0 2.3 3.2 In% to total expenditures 10.1 9.6 10.2 11.1 12.1 Source: National Statistics Committee of Kyrgyz Republic. Social Tendencies of Kyrgyz Republic. Edition 3, Bishkek, 2008, p 95.
Realization of health sector reforms is going since 1993 (in context of National Program "Manas") by support of World Bank, USAID, Swiss Development Corporation and other donors. These reforms are focused on re-structuring of hospitals and sanitary-and-epidemiologic services for strengthening primary health services and replacement of polyclinics by groups of family doctors. Reforms also include an establishment of Fund of mandatory health insurance (FMHI), stimulating systems of payment, development of information system of health services and better pharmaceutical management.
Asian Development Bank supported realization of measures directed toward structural changes in the sector of public health and support of the integrated system measures, for example, repair and equipping of medical institutions, strengthening information systems of public health and support of reform on public health financing.
7. HIV/AIDS
For January 1st 2007 in country has been registered 1070 persons infected by HIV. At the end of 2006, 827 citizens of Kyrgyzstan infected by HIV have been registered. Owing to injection drugs amongst drug addicts is the main reason of HIV infection increase, they make 78,5 %.
HIV distribution is predominantly amongst male at the age of 25-29 (27,6 % male out of total number infected by HIV) and figures in country are inequivalence.
69 SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT “BISHKEK-TORUGART ROAD PROJECT” PUBLIC OPINION AND ASSESMENTS
The greatest number of HIV infected are registered in Osh city (36,2% out of total number in country). In Osh oblast (15.8%), Bishkek city (47.9%), Chui oblast (16%) and in Jalal-Abad oblast (11.5%).8
Nevertheless, according to data of UNAIDS actual figure of HIV infected in the country, probably, exceed official numbers in 10 times, which is equal approximately to 3000 persons. From experience of epidemic distribution in other CIS countries, it is possible to assume, that Kyrgyzstan has entered into the second stage of epidemic distribution when from a needle of addicts HIV penetrates into a society through sexual relations.9
Significant sizes of internal and external migration and high mobility of population, especially from rural areas, get special importance by way of distribution of a HIV. Owing to fragile status migrants are subject to risk of involving in such highly unsafe activity, as commercial sex and narcotics. 49% worker engaged in sex business in Bishkek - migrants who have arrived to city in searches of higher incomes; 22% came from small cities.
These serious questions are solved by Government of Kyrgyz Republic since 1997, and has been developed the second "National program on prevention of HIV/AIDS and sexually-transmitted diseases (STD) in Kyrgyz Republic for 2001 - 2005 ". This program basically financed from "Global Fund on struggle against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria» which in the beginning of 2003 has approved the offer of the Kyrgyz Republic, planning of investment $ 17 million within forthcoming five years.10
8. Education
Education system in Kyrgyz Republic has undergone to large-scale reforms at all levels of education, beginning at preschool and finishing by universities. Modern educational policy is a policy of keeping positive results and reform of education reached before, through introduction of new approaches and technologies directed on adaptation to market conditions and integration into world educational space.
People of Kyrgyzstan possesses high educational level, literacy of population makes 98.7%. Despite the difficulties of transition period, this tendency was possible to keep in the country; according to state statistics 95% of children in the age of 6-16 years go to schools.11
There is well developed network of schools and universities in the country, covering both urban and rural areas. From existing in the republic 2066 schools 1710 or 83% available are rural. Boys and girls have equal access to education.12 Admission age to school is 6 and 7 years. Full term of secondary education is 11 years.
Higher education experiences boom, number of high schools in the country almost quadrupled, the quantity of students also has essentially increased. It is characteristic, that demand for higher education is solvent, growth of students’ number is due to education on contract basis. The main causes of increase in demand for higher education is unemployment among youth, disorder of
8 National Statistics Committee of Kyrgyz Republic. Social Tendencies of Kyrgyz Republic. Edition 3, Bishkek, 2008, p 93. 9 Statistics on HIV situation in Kyrgyz Republic. HIV/AIDS National Center. 10 System of UN in Kyrgyz Republic: overall assessment of country. Bishkek, 2003, p. 27-28.
11 Kyrgyz Republic. Report on realization of Millennium Development Objectives. UNDP, Bishkek, 2003, p.17 12 Ministry of Education of Kyrgyz Republic. General education schools for the beginning 2005-2006 education years. Bishkek, 2006, p.3
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vocational education system, aspiration of young men from rural areas to get over in cities and whenever possible to get job on government organizations is the main reason why diploma of high school is in necessity.
Strong education system and highly educated population were, probably, one of the most positive elements of the Soviet heritage in Kyrgyz Republic at the moment of independence. Actually the level of literacy and education still remain high. Nevertheless, Government expenditures on education are reduced, and it causes difficulties for poor layers of population.
Recent years the number of children who are not attending schools is growing. Decrease in a level of coverage by education outside compulsory education is caused, first of all, by the economic reasons, in particular, decrease of family incomes and growth of direct costs on education, is obvious that it would affects children from needy families. Material difficulties – is the most important reason of not attending the schools. Taking into account that family circumstances and difficult family conditions are often connected with poverty, probably, even is much more serious, than it seems at first sight.
9. Poverty
More than half of rural population and nearby one third of urban population of Kyrgyzstan is below poverty line. It is one of most acute problems of the country. The economic situation of the Kyrgyz Republic has considerably worsened since independence. From 1991 to 1997 real incomes of the population have decreased almost on 73%, and more than half of population has appeared below the poverty line. In 1997 51.0% of population of the country were below poverty line. If from 1996 to 1997 poverty in urban areas decreased from 37.1% to 28.5%, in rural areas it has increased from 58.9 to 64.5%. About 68% of population is living in n rural areas.13
National Strategy of Poverty Reduction has been developed for 2001-2003. In cooperation with government, other government structures and sector of civil initiatives in realization of National Strategy of Poverty Reduction contributing different projects of UNDP. Analogical programs will be realized as a part of CBD14 in 2004-2010.
The poverty line of 2005 indexed to the level of inflation was in 2006 used as the threshold value for evaluating poverty level. The cost value of total poverty line in 2006 composed 10325 soms per year per head, an abject poverty is 6696 som15.
Table 1.8. The mane poverty indicators
2004 2005 2006 Ginni coefficient (by consumption) 0,331 0,271 0,323 General poverty line, KGS per year 9090 9605 10325 Extreme poverty line (by consumption), KGS per year 5715 6115 6696 General poverty level, as a % to total population 45,9 43,1 39,9 Extreme poverty level, as a % to total population 13,4 11,1 9,1 Source: National Statistics Committee of Kyrgyz Republic. Brief statistical handbook 2004-2007. Bishkek, 2008, p.34.
13 Kyrgyzstan National Human Development Report,1999, p, 35. 14 Complex Basis of Development of Kyrgyz Republic till 2010. Kyrgyzstan supported initiative of President of World Bank Mr. J. Wolfenson “Complex Basis of Development” and owing to that was included in number of pilot countries for realization of this program. 15 National Statistics Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic. Social Tendencies of Kyrgyz Republic. Edition 3, Bishkek, 2008, p.66.
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Table 1.9. Data on number of poor on income levels for different oblasts as of 01.01 2006
Regions Number of available population Poverty level in Level of extreme according to data of National the regions, % poverty in the Statistics Committee as of 01.01. of the population regions, % of the 2006 population
(thsd. persons) (thsd. families) Average family size Batken 411.7 75.0 5.4 77.8 33.7 Jalal-Abad 948.6 166.0 5.7 50.1 46.3 Osh 429.5 100.2 4.2 54.1 17.2 Issyk-Kul 266.0 53.0 5.0 66.3 30.7 Naryn 1031.5 184.0 5.6 57.0 11.3 Talas 253.5 40.8 6.2 - - Chui 212.9 42.0 5.0 51.3 16.8 Osh city 756.0 217.0 3.5 21.7 6.8 Bishkek city 811.0 263.0 3.1 16.5 4.7 Republic 5120.7 1141.0 4.4 45.9 13.4
Source: Ministry of Labour and Social Development of Kyrgyzstan.
10. Highway and Transport
Highways roads have key importance for normal functioning of Kyrgyz economy, in many regions they are the only communication mean, since mountainous relief does not allow for laying out broad railroad network. Economic reforms led to considerable domestic migration of the population, increase in passenger and freight transport flows; load to motor roads greatly increased during last decade.
Prevailing highway communication in transport sector of the Kyrgyz Republic makes issue of the road network condition incredibly important.
Table 1.10. Mane indicators of transport sector
Freight traffic, Passenger traffic, mln.tons mln. people. 2004 2007 2004 2007 Transport – total 30,8 29,5 453,1 470,7 Including: Land 30,8 29,5 452,8 470,4 Railway 1,9 2,3 0,3 0,4 Motor 28,3 26,6 399,6 445,3 Electric - - 52,9 24,7 Pipe-line 0,6 0,6 - - Domestic water, thsd. tons 33,8 26,5 - - air, thsd. tons 1,3 0,5 0,3 0,3 Source: National Statistics Committee of Kyrgyz Republic. Brief statistical handbook 2004-2007. Bishkek, 2008, p.21.
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