TITLE:
Problems of Sustainable Use and Management of Water and Land Resources in Uzbekistan
AUTHORS:
Rashid Kulmatov
KEYWORDS:
Water Resources; Irrigated Lands; Salinization; Mineralization; Uzbekistan
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Water Resource and Protection,
Vol.6 No.1,
January
23,
2014
ABSTRACT: In this paper, the problems of rational use, protection
and management of water and irrigated land resources of Uzbekistan are
discussed. Uzbekistan
is using more than 50% water resources of the region and therefore it’s more vulnerable to the problems of
water deficiency and pollution caused by mismanagement,
use of outdated technologies, and climate change impact. Utilization of water
resources on main branches of economy (irrigation, industry and drinking water
supply) from 2000-2009 and in some cases beyond this period was analyzed. Based
on the data analyzed, the conditions of irrigated land degradation in Uzbekistan
are estimated. The results of this
analysis suggest several possibilities toward a sustainable use of irrigated
lands: i) reduction of the groundwater table depth; ii) decrease of the
level of mineralization of groundwater, and iii) improvement of ameliorative
conditions of irrigated lands. The causes resulting in degradation of the
irrigated lands and practical measures on the reduction of salinization of the
irrigated lands are also recommended.