DUSHANBE. June 8. “Asia-Plus” — Some states are trying to distort the reality in resolution of problems of the Aral sea basin and draw attention of the global community away from the reasons of the disaster – irrational and often destructive use of water resources, Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon spoke today in Dushanbe at the international conference “Water for Life”.
“Such one-sided interpretation of facts is non-productive. Effectiveness of efforts on Aral sea rescue, including the establishment of the International Fund by five countries of the region, depends on clear and correct understanding of the reality and implementation of concrete steps, which, first of all, aimed at rehabilitation of outmoded and outdated irrigation systems,” Rahmon said, stressing that Tajikistan is ready for close cooperation with all countries of the region and international organizations for resolution of water and energy problems and rehabilitation of environmental situation in the Aral sea basin.
Current condition of the Aral sea is the direct result of a large-scale development of new lands which increased from 4 million hectares in 1960 up to 9 million hectares, he said.
“As a result of limited flow of water into the sea, its total area has reduced tenfold,” he said.
The growth of population which increased from 20 million people in 1956 up to 63 million has also contributed to the problem of the Aral sea, Rahmon noted.
Tajikistan President stressed that it is typical for the region to distribute water resources in uneven manner with more than 80% of the Aral sea basin formed on the territory of upstream countries and over 85% is used by downstream countries.
Rahmon said that previous methods of water distribution is not able to satisfy the formation of the flow due to lack of economic water use mechanism and proposed to elaborate long-term agreements between all countries of Central Asia region to settle this problem. These agreements, he said, should specify mutually beneficial mechanisms of implementation.
