To solve the water problems in Central Asia needs a new strategy

Almaty. June 4. Silkroadnews - After the collapse of the Soviet Union donors have spent millions in an attempt to solve the chronic water and energy issues in Central Asia, but Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have missed this opportunity. This was reported by the director of the Central Asia Project of the International Crisis Group Deirdre Taynan, reports Trend.
"In this matter, both the region and those who would like to help, including the countries of the West and Russia need a new strategy" - said D.Taynan.
According to her, despite more than 20 years of independence of the Central Asian countries, millions of people in the region still have lack access to clean water.
The expert believes that Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan may again this year face the deficit of electricity, despite the huge hydropower potential. According to her, the problem with the water supply, even provoked clashes on the border in the region of the Ferghana.
According to experts, the low level of water in the Toktogul reservoir in Kyrgyzstan put the country in a dilemma. D.Taynan noted that Kyrgyzstan from its meager budget is trying to pay for electricity imports from other countries. Plans to raise electricity tariffs this year will lead to further frustration and anxiety of Kyrgyzstan's population, she said.
According to her, the previous agreements on the division of water resources, mainly prepared on the model of contracts of Soviet times, today are ineffective.
Tashkent as she said, believes that Bishkek and Dushanbe, might be planning to do the same in the water issue and may use force against the new power plants and reservoirs, construction of which is planned at the present time in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
The problem is not so much that the water is not enough, but in how it is used, the expert said.
International Donors, in turn, including Russia, as a member of the World Bank (WB) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) should insist on prosecution for embezzlement of millions of dollars of cash assistance allocated for water projects, the expert said.
Taynan pointed out that the continued funding of urban and rural water supply projects should depend on the successful implementation of measures to combat corruption.
According to her, Kambarata-1 and Upper Naryn cascade of hydropower stations in Kyrgyzstan have great potential, and it is vital that these projects were not disrupted.
However, the achievement of a new regional water agreement is likely to take a long time, she said.