Strengthening Cooperation in Adaptation to Climate
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STRENGTHENING COOPERATION IN ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN TRANSBOUNDARY BASINS OF THE CHU AND TALAS RIVERS KAZAKHSTAN AND KYRGYZSTAN Summary Strengthening Cooperation in Adaptation to Climate Change in Transboundary Basins of the Chu and Talas Rivers, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan Summary © Zoї Environment Network, 2014 Summary of the full report on the “Strengthening Cooperation in Adaptation to Climate Change in Transboundary Basins of the Chu and Talas Rivers (Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan)” was prepared by Zoї Environment Network in close cooperation with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Water Convention Secretariat and the authors of the full report and experts of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in the framework of the Environment and Security Initiative (ENVSEC ). Financial This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part in any form Authors of the full report: Svetlana Dolgikh, Auelbek Zaurbek, support was provided by the Government of Finland. for educational or non-profit purposes without special permission Alexsandr Kalashnikov (Kazakhstan), Shamil Iliasov, Nurdudin from the copyright holders, provided acknowledgement of the Karabaev, Ekaterina Sahvaeva, Gulmira Satymkulova, Valerii source is made. UNECE and partners would appreciate receiving a Shevchenko (Kyrgyzstan) copy of any material that uses this publication as a source. No use of this publication may be made for resale or for any commercial Original text of summary: Lesya Nikolayeva with the participation purpose whatsoever without prior permission in written form from of Viktor Novikov, Nickolai Denisov (Zoї Environment Network) the copyright holders. The use of information from this publication concerning proprietary products for advertising is not permitted. Russian editing: Marina Pronina The views expressed in this document are those of the authors Translation into English: Elena Arkhipova and do not necessarily reflect views of the partner organizations and governments. English editing: Geoff Hughes The designations employed and the presentation of the material in Maps and graphics: Lesya Nikolayeva, Carolyne Daniel, Mattias this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion what- Beilstein (Zoї Environment Network) soever concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning delimitation of its frontiers Design and layout: Carolyne Daniel, Maria Libert or boundaries. Mention of a commercial company or product does not imply endorsement by the cooperating partners. We regret any Photos: Viktor Novikov errors or omissions that may unwillingly have been made. Valuable comments and recommendations have been provid- ed by: Annukka Lipponen, Sonja Koeppel (UNECE), Indira Akbo- zova (Kazakhstan), Tilek Isabekov, Erkin Orolbaev (Kyrgyzstan) 2 3 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 07 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE CHU AND TALAS RIVER BASINS 11 USE AND PROTECTION OF WATER RESOURCES IN THE CHU AND 17 TALAS RIVER BASINS CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACT 23 RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS REGARDING CLIMATE CHANGE 35 ADAPTATION MEASURES 4 5 INTRODUCTION Climate change, once only a topic of scientific de- bate, has become in recent years an issue requiring the development and implementation of practical actions. Central Asia, due to ongoing global climate change, expects an increasing freshwater deficit and adverse changes in the flows of major rivers; there- fore, there is an urgent need to study the impact of climate change on water resources in the region. Most of the water flows in Central Asia, as well as almost all water resources in the region, are formed in the mountains, mainly due to melting of seasonal snow cover and glaciers. Changes in snow and ice cover in the upper basin resulting from global warm- ing can significantly affect the hydrological regime and water resources of Central Asia with dramatic consequences for the water supply serving the pop- ulation and economy of the region. Surface water in Central Asia is a vital resource, and is particularly sensitive to climate change. The Chu River (in Kazakhstan it is called the Shu) and the Talas River flow through Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. These rivers support the livelihoods of more than 3 million people in the two republics, and are the major sources of water used in agriculture. Ala-Archa Natural Park, the Chu River basin 7 u K is a ar r S at ol Karaqoyyn Koli Lake The interests of the two countries in the sharing of The key project objectives include: Balkhash these rivers calls for cooperation – a common ap- proach to management, a rational use of water re- • Simulation of possible changes in the basins of sources and in the face of future climate change, the the Chu and Talas Rivers associated with climatic development of joint actions on adaptation. conditions, and development of proposals for joint action The project, “Strengthening cooperation on adapta- • Preparation of a joint report on the possible im- KAZAKHSTAN Ili tion to climate change in transboundary basins of the pacts of climate change in the region, with special Ashchykol Chu and Talas Rivers”, has made an attempt to com- attention directed to water use in agriculture, as a Akzhaykyn Koli Chu rti Ku bine two areas that were previously unrelated – the major water consumer in the river basins Kokuidynkol Muyunkum Kapchagay Res. joint management of transboundary water resources • Development of a set of possible adaptation mea- Kapchagay and the development of recommendations on adap- sures to help alleviate potential tensions caused Muyunkum tation to climate change. Experts involved in the proj- by changes in the water regime. Desert ect have examined the impact of climate change on Tole Bi Almaty Zhanakorgan the situation in the basins of the Chu and Talas Riv- These adaptation measures could be applied as nec- Shu Janatas ers, and have focused primarily on agriculture, which essary. The final part of this report lists some types Ta la rty s gha Korday depends on the availability of water resources. of possible practical actions, which, however, need Elevation Kentau Aqkol ura Q Chu further elaboration, based on the priorities and re- in metres Qaratau Bishkek Turkestan The project has been implemented in the framework sources of both countries. S Bilikol Taraz Tokmok Kemin yr 3 000 Da K Merki Kara-Balta Balykchy ry y of the Environment and Security Initiative (ENVSEC, a r Issyk Kul Baurzhan g y z n g e www.envsec.org) with support from the Government The project partners are the United Nations Develop- 2 000 Momyshuly R a A ry Kochkor of Finland and the European Union (in the early stag- ment Programme (UNDP), United Nations Economic 1 500 s Kyzyl-Adyr Talas es of the project). It is intended to expand the op- Commission for Europe (UNECE), the Organization 1 000 Arys Shymkent KYRGYZSTAN portunities of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in the field for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the 500 of adaptation to climate change and to facilitate di- Department of Water Resources and Irrigation with Toktogul Reservoir Toktogul Song-Kol alogue and cooperation between the two countries the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation of 200 Naryn in the development of transboundary strategies for the Kyrgyz Republic, the Ministry of Environment and Qazyghurt Naryn adaptation, thereby preventing disagreements in the Water Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan and 0 50 km Chirchiq use of water resources. the Secretariat of the Commission of the Republic of Map produced by ZOÏ Environment Network, August 2013 UZBEKISTAN Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic on the use of the interstate water facilities on the Chu and Talas Geography of the Chu and Talas River basins Rivers. Basin borders National borders 8 9 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE CHU AND TALAS RIVER BASINS The basins of the Chu and Talas Rivers are located in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The rivers originate on the slopes of the Kyrgyz Range in Kyrgyzstan, then flow through the Turan Lowlands in Kazakhstan (the Chu River flows through the Chuy Valley) and disap- pear in the Muyunkum Desert. Vegetation and soils in the basin are noted for wide diversity: landscapes of deserts and semi-deserts typical of the plains and intermountain valleys are replaced at higher altitudes by steppe, meadow and forest complexes, subalpine and alpine meadows and grasslands. Mixed grass swards, rich in differ- ent vegetation types, are characteristic of meadow steppes where the soil structure provides for rap- id absorption of moisture, so short-term run-off is formed only during high intensity rainfalls. The total forest cover in the lower reaches, floodplains and deltas of the Chu and Talas Rivers is 6.2 per cent (the average for Kazakhstan is 3.8 per cent). The desert and semi-desert soils located on the flat part of the basin lack a solid structure, are very poor in humus and have high permeability, but precipitation does not penetrate below the surface, and the permanent non-recharging water regime eliminates the possibil- ity for the formation of subsurface flow. Orto-Tokoyskoye Reservoir, the Chu River, Kyrgyzstan 11 u K is a ar Karagandy Oblast r S at ol Karaqoyyn Koli Lake The Chu and Talas River basins are marked by a va- The Talas River originates at the junction of the Kyr- Balkhash riety of forms of river network – permanent streams, gyz and Talas ranges, flows through Kazakhstan and drying rivers, dry riverbeds of alluvial plains, artificial disappears in the sands of the Muyunkum. The total water bodies (irrigation canals), ponds, reservoirs area of the basin is 53 000 square kilometres, 78 per and outflows of groundwater and return water. In the cent of which is in Kazakhstan and 22 per cent in Kyr- Almaty Oblast Chu basin there are over 5 000 small rivers and about gyzstan. The main tributaries are the Urmaral, Kara 500 lakes, and in the Talas basin there are more than Buura, Kumushtak, Kalba and Besh-Tash. The Talas KAZAKHSTAN Ili 3 500 rivers and about 1 500 lakes.