WATER SCARCITY RESPONSE: EFFICIENT USE OF WATER – CHALLENGES AND POLICY INTERVENTIONS IN UZBEKISTAN
Abstract
Uzbekistan is facing growing water crisis due to climate change, on the one side, and increased water demands, on the other side. Increased heat, melting glaciers, and low rainfall amplify add on to water stress. What is more, Afghanistan is constructing the Qush-Tepa canal on the Amu Darya basin, which will more likely decrease water availability by further 30% in the next 5 years. Recent estimates have forecasted that by 2030 water supply in the country will fall 7 billion cubic meters short, which is 25% of its supply, making Uzbekistan rank as one of 33 countries that will be highly impacted by water scarcity in 2040. Despite these alarming trends, water use efficiency remains low, hence it is crucial that water reform is urgently adopted in order to secure both natural ecosystems as well as economy development.
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