Re-examining conflict and cooperation in Central Asia: a case study from the Isfara River, Ferghana Valley

Abstract

While conflict and cooperation in Central Asia are mainly focused on the larger basins (Amu and Syr Darya) and the implementation of the agreement reached directly after independence (1991), here an analysis of the history of water-sharing agreements in the Isfara Basin is presented. The paper reveals that there have been fierce negotiations and renegotiations even during the Soviet Union period between the Central Asian riparian republics; agreement was reached mainly though engineering solutions that brought more water to the basin. The paper highlights that although water-sharing agreements were reached early on, the technical capability of implementing these agreements was lacking. Similarly, even after independence, agreements had been reached but lack of water control hindered their implementation

Water Security in the Syr Darya Basin

“…The focus on the Naryn River and the Toktogul reservoir assumed that basin management was the overarching principle. In addition, the agreement focused on national levels and did not incorporate Tajikistan as downstream water user [15].…”

“…The diversion structure for the canal is located in Kyrgyzstan. In addition, within the Ferghana Valley and within smaller tributary basins downstream Uzbek areas are potentially water insecure, such as in the Isfara tributary [15]. Irrigated areas within Tajikistan are potentially water insecure if they depend on transboundary infrastructure, for example Tajikistan is at the tail-end of the Big Ferghana and North Ferghana Canals [15].…”

“…In addition, within the Ferghana Valley and within smaller tributary basins downstream Uzbek areas are potentially water insecure, such as in the Isfara tributary [15]. Irrigated areas within Tajikistan are potentially water insecure if they depend on transboundary infrastructure, for example Tajikistan is at the tail-end of the Big Ferghana and North Ferghana Canals [15]. Although Kyrgyzstan is mainly upstream from the Ferghana valley, areas in Kyrgyzstan receive water through pump stations located in Uzbek territory or diversion from transboundary main canals, such as the South Ferghana Canal [14].…”

“…Later on, water security was increased through the construction of small reservoirs for capturing winter flows of tributaries [16,17]. Finally, with the increase of irrigated areas in small tributaries within upstream Kyrgyzstan, pump stations were constructed to lift water from main canals towards small tributaries [15,93]. Hence, within the Ferghana Valley, a meshed system was constructed which allowed switching from the main water source to an alternative water source and winter flow on tributaries as well as main stem was captured.…”

“…This focus ignores important aspects of historical design. The Soviet Union designed and planned water management at basin level as well as Smaller Transboundary Tributaries (STTs) and smaller infrastructure such as main canals, reservoirs or pump station schemes [14][15][16][17].…”