ENG - UN CC:Learn

EUROPE AND THE COMMONWEALTH OF
INDEPENDENT STATES
KYRGYZSTAN
MDG7
Progress Towards Environmental Sustainability
KYRGYZ
REPUBLIC
The economic and ecological situation in Kyrgyzstan is largely dependent on the availability and use of its water
resources. The country’s agriculture is almost wholly dependent on irrigation and water serves as an important
export resource.While the country has large reserves of fresh water in rivers, lakes, glaciers, and underground water
reserves, careful treatment of water is still needed. Water resource management is far from being optimal. Huge
amounts of water resources are wasted due to poorly maintained irrigation and water distribution systems and the
practice of inadequate irrigation methods, as well as an absence of water-saving technologies, and systems of water
supply lacking in adequate drainage. In recent years there has been an increase in the level of contamination to surface
and underground waters, the main cause of which is the poor treatment of industrial and agricultural wastewater. A
significant area of small towns and rayon centers are without centralized sewerage systems and treatment facilities.
Soil is also a key environmental resource in Kyrgyzstan. At present the condition of soils in arable areas is critical; more than 88% of
agricultural land is recognized as degraded and is subjected to desertification processes; soils subjected to secondary salinization
make up 75% of Kyrgyzstan’s total arable land.
QUICK FACTS
Total UNDP-GEF and Co-Finance: $771,000
Total UNDP and Co-Finance: $1,084,980
Total MPU and Bilateral: $688,917
Total: $2,544,897
KAZAKHSTAN
UZBEKISTAN
TAJIKISTAN
Kyrgyzstan’s pollution woes are a major challenge. In recent years, air pollution has increased, and in 2001 emissions of polluting
substances from stationary sources increased by 13% compared to 2000. The major sources of pollution are fuel and energy related
industries, in particular, boilers burning coal, and motor transport.
Between 2 and 12 times the maximum allowable concentrations
of pollutants, such as dust, sulphur oxide, lead, nitrogen, and
carbon, are emitted into the airs of the capital and other large cities.
Despite the existing understanding of the importance and urgency
of environmental issues, there is an acute shortage of state
resources necessary for the implementation of environment-oriented
activities. 1
Osh
Bishkek
CHINA
Water Translates to Energy in Remote Settlement 2
SPOTLIGHT
For the families living in the mountainous region of Djuuky Settlement along the Djuuku River in
Kyrgyzstan, the collapse of the Soviet Union brought about a systematic stoppage in fuel delivery and
severely reduced availability of electric power. The number of families doubled from 15 to 30 between
1995 and 2005, followed by increased instances of unauthorized logging to meet new energy demands.
Endemic flora and fauna has been reduced along with increased soil erosion, creating further environmental
distress and a high probability of flooding.
Under the GEF’s Small Grants Programme, US$ 9,770 was obtained in 2002 for the construction of three small hydroelectric power
stations on Djuuku River that takes full advantage of the villages’ steep, hillside setting.The funding was also used to plant 15,000
willows and poplars for long-term building and resource management. Under the guidance of a local NGO and a technical group
from the Kyrgyz Slavic University, as well as considerable community involvement (labour, property, and finance), the hydropower
construction and tree plantings demonstrated key linkages between economic activity and conservation of biodiversity, fostering
the beginning of greater environmental awareness in the community. The local peoples’ commitment to construction and preservation
reflected their large stake in the project.
The settlement’s newfound energy independence has had a dramatic financial, social, and environmental impact on the families.
Women and children are participating in thermal insulation of housing, reducing wood consumption and increasing energy conservation
in the area. Additional cost savings have been generated
CLIMATE CHANGE
as less time is now spent traveling to find wood resources.
Electric stoves and boilers are now in use, and greater free time is available for parents to prepare children for school. Families are
now able to acquire radios and television sets, and even have sufficient energy to power them!
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