ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, October 21. A practical seminar on water resource management was held in the Lebap region of Turkmenistan, organized under the UN Development Programme (UNDP) initiative for the "Conservation and Sustainable Management of Land Resources and High Nature Value Ecosystems in the Aral Sea Basin for Multiple Benefits," Trend reports via UNDP.
The seminar served as a platform for exchanging experiences in water use planning amidst climate change, with participants applying a scientifically-backed Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach. The two-day discussions emphasized measures to enhance water use efficiency and protect water resources, aiming to reduce costs and improve irrigation water supply.
At the demonstration site in the Danew district, participants showcased wells designed to monitor land reclamation conditions and introduced innovative irrigation technologies aimed at enhancing water efficiency. Discussions also included the potential for developing fish farming as an alternative income source for the region.
Turkmen representatives shared insights on rice cultivation in Lebap, emphasizing local climate conditions and techniques for utilizing groundwater from the Amu Darya for drip irrigation.
Sponsored by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the seminar gathered stakeholders from various organizations, including the Ministry of Environment, the State Committee for Water Management, and local NGOs. This event represents a crucial step for Turkmenistan in advancing effective water resource management and promoting sustainable development in the face of climate change.
Turkmenistan is committed to ensuring a sustainable water supply as part of its national socio-economic development program, which spans from two thousand eleven to two thousand thirty, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).