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Burdened by Soviet Legacy, Nations Spar Over Water Rights
February 26th, 2010
Courtesy of Science, an interesting look at the continued water tensions in Central Asia’s Pamir Mountains, long known as ‘The Roof of the World’. As the article notes: “…As scientists worry about the prospect of a catastrophic flood from Lake Sarez in the Pamir Mountains which would unleash a wall of water from the 56-kilometer […]
Read more »Kyrgyzstan’s New Dam Concerns Its Central Asian Neighbors
December 24th, 2009
Via Reuters, a report that Kyrgyzstan has begun to dam a key Central Asian river to build a new hydroelectric power plant, a project criticised by neighbouring nations who fear it will disrupt water supplies. As the article notes: “…Water sharing is a contentious issue in Central Asia, an arid, mainly Muslim region where water-thirsty […]
Read more »Water A Pawn In Central Asian Energy Dispute
December 5th, 2009
Courtesy of EurasiaNet, an interesting report on Uzbekistan’s decision to leave the Central Asia energy grid – which cuts off Tajikistan from importing and exporting electricity – has some Tajik officials suggesting that water supplies to Uzbekistan be restricted during the summer irrigation season. As background, the energy and irrigation infrastructure in Central Asia was […]
Read more »Melting Ice = Rising Tensions In Central Asia
November 27th, 2009
Via Registan, an interesting contemplation on the political, social, and economic impacts that glacial retreat in Kyrgyzstan will have upon the neighboring countries of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan in the next 20 years. As the article notes: “…Geologists have recently brought to attention the significant melting of Kyrgyz glaciers Adigene and Petrova. This story is […]
Read more »Climate Change + Melting Glaciers = Increased Water Tension In Central Asia
October 28th, 2009
Courtesy of the BBC, a report on global warming’s impact /exacerbation of regional water tensions in Central Asia. As the article notes: “That one – called Adigene – has decreased in size by about 20% over the last 50 years,” he says. He adds that a neighbouring glacier, Aksai, has disappeared completely. Mr Ermenbaev, who […]
Read more »Water Tension In Central Asia
October 9th, 2009
Courtesy of The Open Economy, a detailed look at the growing water crisis in Central Asia. We have covered this several times previously in this forum but, given the increasing severity and likelihood of transnational tensions, it seems useful to address it once again. As the article notes: “…At first glance, China’s neighbour Kyrgyzstan, with […]
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