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Turkmenistan working on restoring ecosystem regarding Aral Sea problem

Turkmenistan Materials 19 December 2012 15:47 (UTC +04:00)
Turkmenistan is actively cooperating with the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development and the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, the Ministry of Nature Protection informed on Wednesday.
Turkmenistan working on restoring ecosystem regarding Aral Sea problem

Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Dec. 19 / Trend H. Hasanov /

Turkmenistan is actively cooperating with the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development and the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, the Ministry of Nature Protection informed on Wednesday.

In this regard, diverse work on issues relating to climate change, ecosystem restoration, land degradation and desertification is being undertaken.

Measures aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as well as adaptation to current and projected impacts of climate change are being taken.

As mentioned in the statement, "In order to limit emissions while maintaining high rates of development of the national economy, especially of its key sectors such as industry, transport, utilities, the use of alternative energy sources and introduction of environmentally friendly technologies are being planned".

The national project aimed at addressing the Aral Sea environmental problems was considered in Turkmenistan in July.

The project is to be implemented together with the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) established in 1990s by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Speaking of Turkmenistan, the Aral Sea problem has affected the north of the country. The Dashoguz region suffered negative effects of the environmental disaster, acute problems occurred that are associated with providing the population with clean drinking water and salinity management of cultivated land.

The local project envisages implementation of a large amount of work on landscaping the Botendag hillside located in Dashoguz province (region), on the eastern shore of Lake Sarykamysh. Planting deciduous trees, saxauls, soil fixing bushes and plants will become a barrier from strong winds blowing from the Aral Sea and will help combat desertification and salinization planned on the area of 20.000 hectares.

It is expected that the creation of a large forest area will be beneficial for the environmental situation and will help improve the microclimate, contribute to enrichment of plant and animal life and create favourable conditions for migratory and local birds. In addition, new pastures will be created which allow more intensive agricultural development.

Speaking at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development Rio +20, held in Brazil in June, President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedow stressed that the tasks of sustainable development in Central Asia will not be fulfilled without solving the problem of the Aral Sea.

Ashgabat proposes developing a special UN programme for the Aral Sea and to establish a partnership with the UN Interregional Centre on Climate Change. The Turkmen side expressed its willingness to provide all the necessary infrastructure for this work

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