NDLI: The new “Silk Road Economic Belt” as a threat to the sustainable management of Central Asia’s transboundary water resources

Content Provider	Springer Nature Link
Author	Howard, Ken W. F. Howard, Karina K.
Copyright Year	2016
Abstract	Central Asia is well known for its history of water mismanagement. The rapid, catastrophic demise of the Aral Sea is testament to the unsustainable water diversion practices introduced by the Soviet Union in the 1960s and the failure of the five sovereign nations, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, that inherited responsibility for Central Asia’s ailing resources, to develop the types of program necessary for the sustainable management of what had become a shared “transboundary” water resource. Although nearly 25 years have passed since the break-up of the Soviet Union, rivalry and deep mistrust between the guardian nations of Central Asia’s water resources remains a serious impediment to achieving the level of cooperation necessary for constructive, water management and decision-making. This is a grave concern given the anticipated impacts of climate change and natural population growth on water in the region. For many Asians, the recently proposed new “Silk Road Economic Belt” is viewed as an immense opportunity to bring wealth and prosperity to some of the poorest regions of China and Central Asia. However, given Central Asia’s appalling record of water management, there is little confidence that the project’s water needs can be adequately met. In effect, the new “Silk Road Economic Belt” and the rapid growth it will bring to the region, represents a serious long-term threat to the sustainable management of Central Asia’s transboundary water resources. The fundamental concern is that the project may place too great a burden on a water management system in Central Asia that is seriously dysfunctional and shows no sign of improvement. Central Asian countries need to recognise that the economic success of the “Silk Road Economic Belt” hinges on their ability to develop programs that can ensure the region’s water resources are managed in a sound and sustainable manner. This will be a difficult challenge and will require cooperation amongst the countries of Central Asia that goes far beyond what currently seems possible. Major reforms are necessary and external pressures from neighbouring Russia and China are likely required to make this happen. It is also essential that the project be supported by sound science and good hydrological data, both of which are seriously lacking in the region. There will be a need to invest in scientific research in the relevant fields. With judicious planning, good science and a commitment amongst the nations of Central Asia to create a shared vision and collaborate towards a common goal, the “New Silk Road” can be developed both beneficially and sustainably.
Starting Page	1
Ending Page	12
Page Count	12
File Format	PDF
ISSN	18666280
Journal	Environmental Earth Sciences
Volume Number	75
Issue Number	11
e-ISSN	18666299
Language	English
Publisher	Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Publisher Date	2016-06-07
Publisher Place	Berlin, Heidelberg
Access Restriction	One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)
Subject Keyword	Central Asia Water resources Transboundary aquifers Sustainable management Aral basin Geology Hydrology/Water Resources Geochemistry Environmental Science and Engineering Terrestrial Pollution Biogeosciences
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Global and Planetary Change Earth-Surface Processes Soil Science Environmental Chemistry Pollution Geology Water Science and Technology

Sl.	Authority	Responsibilities	Communication Details
1	Ministry of Education (GoI), Department of Higher Education	Sanctioning Authority	https://www.education.gov.in/ict-initiatives
2	Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	Host Institute of the Project: The host institute of the project is responsible for providing infrastructure support and hosting the project	https://www.iitkgp.ac.in
3	National Digital Library of India Office, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	The administrative and infrastructural headquarters of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in
4	Project PI / Joint PI	Principal Investigator and Joint Principal Investigators of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in Prof. Saswat Chakrabarti will be added soon
5	Website/Portal (Helpdesk)	Queries regarding NDLI and its services	support@ndl.gov.in
6	Contents and Copyright Issues	Queries related to content curation and copyright issues	content@ndl.gov.in
7	National Digital Library of India Club (NDLI Club)	Queries related to NDLI Club formation, support, user awareness program, seminar/symposium, collaboration, social media, promotion, and outreach	clubsupport@ndl.gov.in
8	Digital Preservation Centre (DPC)	Assistance with digitizing and archiving copyright-free printed books	dpc@ndl.gov.in
9	IDR Setup or Support	Queries related to establishment and support of Institutional Digital Repository (IDR) and IDR workshops	idr@ndl.gov.in

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