Comprehensive Assessment of Water Supply of the Turkestan Region for the Development of Economic Sectors and Recreational Tourism

Abstract

The purpose of this study was a comprehensive assessment of water supply of the population, territory and economic sectors in the context of water-resource regions of Turkestan region of the Republic of Kazakhstan based on integrated specific water supply index, taking into account the environmental flows of river basins, providing data on the current state of water resources, level of water supply and their changes under influence of natural and anthropogenic factors. The research methodology is based on statistical analysis, long-term information-analytical materials on the hydrological condition of rivers, territorial organization of water consumption and the population of Turkestan region. For a comprehensive assessment of water supply of the population, territory and economy, a methodology was developed that allowed to assess the current state of water supply in the territory of river basins in the region and their changes under the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors. A comparative assessment of water supply in the Turkestan region in terms of water-resource areas based on the proposed methodological approach and the created research base covering the period of 2002-2020 showed that, in general, there is a high level of water shortage, which is associated with water shortage problems in the region. The obtained results of study are of fundamental environmental and economic importance when assessing water supply and can be used as an effective tool for the assessment of the influence of water factors during socio-economic forecasting of the region’s development, especially recreational activities.