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28 I Companies & Markets bne July 2024
Water flow reductions caused by the canal could severely impact Uzbek agriculture. / @FDPM_AFG
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Uzbekistan “will suffer” as Taliban canal diverts fifth of Amu Darya river, warns expert
Mokhi Sultanova in Tashkent
Qosh Tepa canal, under construction in Afghanistan, looks set to divert 20% of the Amu Darya river’s water, raising concerns about potential water shortages in Uzbekistan, according to an international expert on natural resources and economics.
Rieks Bosch, cited by Kun.uz, said the exacerbation of water scarcity could have detrimental effects on Uzbek agriculture. Turkmenistan, further downstream than Uzbekistan, is also set to suffer from the realisation of the “thirsty” Qosh Tepa.
“In any case, it's clear that Uzbekistan will suffer,” Bosch was reported as saying.
From May 27-29, an international conference on climate change was held in Almaty, Kazakhstan. It drew official representatives from Central Asian countries, journalists and international experts. Among them was Bosch, who discussed the likely impacts of the canal project pursued by Afghanistan’s Taliban administration during a panel session.
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Bosch emphasised that the negative impacts of the project on Uzbekistan would far outweigh any potential benefits.
“The realisation of this project could result in significant water wastage and intensify water scarcity, as well as increase water prices in agricultural sectors,” he was reported as warning.
The concept of the Qosh Tepa canal has a long history. The idea was explored by the British as far back as 1950. It was later looked at by the Russians, and finally the Americans.
However, Afghanistan, determined to boost its agriculture, decided to launch the construction project despite not tying down the necessary funds.
The Taliban plans to divert one fifth of the Amu Darya’s water into the canal, a move that would necessitate a 50% reduction in water use by the Uzbek regions of Khorezm and Karakalpakstan, Bosch explained.