Final project :UZBEKISTAN WATER SHORTAGE

Paragraph 1: the global shortage of water

 

Water depletion is affecting the entire planet; however some areas are suffering more than others. Uzbekistan has a water resource problem because of the environmental degradation that has happened in the Aral Sea, especially during the period from 1960 until 1992. The area of the sea was halved and shrunk rapidly and Uzbekistan now faces a lack of basic infrastructure to build a water distribution pipe system and to monitor the threats from pollutants in the area. (UNICEF Uzbekistan/2003)

The Uzbekistanian people are using the water extensively for agriculture and they started to use more channels for irrigation. Uzbekistan now has less water resources and this is affecting Karakalpakstan and the neighboring region of Khorezm. Around 2.5 million people are at risk because of a shortage of the clean water. The people there are drinking polluted water and they don’t care very much whether it’s clean or not and this means for that reason pollution is spreading along the region and started to increase the spread of more water- borne diseases like cholera. Without any solution or access to pure and clean water, the children of Uzbekistan will face a bleak and miserable future.( saltmovie2010, Jul 23, 2010)( EDSserver,2010)

Both the government and international donors are trying to deal with the situation and they are trying to find other resources of pure water. Other organizations like the NATO and the ENVSEC are helping Uzbekistan to deal with this issue.

Paragraph 2: a case study

The Soviet government decided in the 1960s, on the conversion of two rivers that feed into the Aral Sea, in the north-east of the country. These wastes irrigate deserts, in order to grow rice, melons, and grains, and also, cotton. The farming of cotton, or "white gold" for export made revenue for Uzbekistan as one of the largest exporters of cotton. (New Scientist, 1989)

The cotton industry using toxic chemical pesticides in production which flows into rivers. This together with other industrial projects and weapons testing caused high levels of pollution locally dispersed by the wind. It has cause high levels of anemia, tuberculosis, liver and kidney problems and respiratory diseases. In addition numbers affected by cancer, immunological problems and birth defects have increased and eye problems from toxic dust. The fishing industry that once employed tens of thousands of people is gone due to the level of the sea. Also one third of the population uses drinking water that does not meet safe quality standards. (UNICEF Uzbekistan/2003)

As the sea began to dry up in 1970 it continued to drop between 31 to 35 in each year and by 2008 was about 10% of its original size by 2050 it will cease to exist and the overall cost of the damage to the Aral Sea has been estimated £800 million. (USDA-Foreign Agriculture Service, 2008) (Shawki Barghouti 2006).

Paragraph 3:Solutions

Water shortage is a serious problem that needs quick and useful solutions to improve the situation in Uzbekistan in particular. There are several potentially effective solutions that can help such as desalination, reclaimed water usage, rationalization of usage and cloud seeding. However the Aral Sea poses a huge challenge.

Desalination is a powerful solution that can solve the water shortage problem. It is a kind of procedure that removes the salt from undrinkable water so people can use it safely. Even the desalination cost lots of money and power; it is powerful solution because people can use sea water that exists all over the world several times over. (DP - Water Shortages, 2012)

Recycled water is another major solution that treats wasted water and removes contaminants. Using recycled water is healthy and it can be used for different aspects except drinking this as most experts agree. For example, recycled water can be used for landscape purposes such as golf courses and recreational venues. Also, it can be used in the cotton industry and so prevent many diseases. (CDP - Water Shortages, 2012)

Rationalizing usage is the best solution for Uzbekistan as there has to be a massive rethink. In this case the government needs to advise consumption of water in the right way. It also can provide enough water for cotton production in future by this method. (Juraev, S. 2001)

Cloud seeding can be part of the water shortage solution. This occurs when “tiny crystals of silver iodide are sprinkled over clouds to promote moisture circulating in the clouds” .Even though this process is expensive; it is used in Canada extensively. (CDP - Water Shortages, 2012)

In conclusion, water shortages are a serious problem that needs more international effort to prevent a dire the future for the Uzbekistani people