Tajikistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia with a population of 9 million people. Around 75% (720,000 ha) of arable land is irrigated, but only 515,000 ha are currently in use due to the deterioration of frrigation and drainage infrastructure, waterlogging and salinization. In Tajikistan, most of the water resources are . still managed along administrative and not hydrological boundaries. In such situation, districts and their oblasts do not have a whole picture on the quantity and quality of water resources and the needs of all water users including the needs of environment. Therefore, integrating all water resources and water users within hydrographical basins will help in addressing the growing water needs under the scenario of population growth and climate change. The country is prone to natural disasters, in particular to water related ones, which further impacts agriculture and the water sector. In addition, natural disasters (floods, mudflows etc.), pose a high risk by affecting lives and livelihoods of the people.

Lack of financial resources, poor management, old infrastructure etc. creates challenging in effective management of the water system in the country. The old system of water management that used to be centralized and nationally subsidized now needs to be adapted to the modern conditions and realities. In the present context, the GoT demonstrates strong political will to address the challenges in the IWRM. In December 2015, the GoT endorsed the Water Seetor Reform Programme for the period 2016-2025.

Switzerland is supporting the water sector reform process in Tajikistan through bringing in the expertise on lntegrated Water Resource Management, promoting the establishment of decentralized management and overall strengthening the water supply self-financing scheme.

Direct beneficiaries of the project are over 170'000 persons (of which 51% warnen) in the project's target watersheds.

The potential indirect beneficiary is the rural population of Sughd province (1.48 Mio residents of 11 northern districts).

Outcome 1: Relevant institutions apply basin management and IWRM legal and regulatory framework and implement the water reforms decided at national level.

Outcome 2: The Tajik Syr Darya Basin and sub-basin institutions manage water resources in line with IWRM principles.

Outcome 3: Farmers, irrigation agencies and Water User Associatlons use water resources efficiently and sustainably.

Principaux résultats attendus:  

- Effective coordination of the Water Seetor Reform implementation at national level;

- The TSD Basin Water Information System is integrated with the National Water Information System;

- Tajik SD RBO is officially registered and operates in line with basin management and IWRM principles;

- TSD River Basin Council is created and effectively represents the basin water users and other stakeholders;

- The Basin Water Monitoring System provides the required data on water quality and quantity to the Basin Water Information System;

- Key stakeholders agreed effective mechanism for integrated management of Aksu-lsfana-Tomchasay-Khojabkirgan-Arkasay irrigation system;

- The Consolidated Aksu DRR Watershed Management Plan is replicated in lsfana Watershed including DRR transboundary dialogue;

- lmplemented integrated DRR measures;

Principaux résultats antérieurs:  

Thanks to the NWRM-phase I project, the first ever in Tajikistan Syr Darya river basin plan was developed and recognized by the GoT as a model for other basins. The NWRM project has taken the role of a front-runner among the water resources management projects in the country. Moreover, the Tajikistan Syr Darya Basin Dialogue, the future foreseen River Basin Council (RBC), as IWRM policy dialogue platform among the key basin stakeholders, has been created with aim to ensure accountability, social inclusion and transparency in the area of water resources management. The development of the Aksu watershed management plan initiated the process of sub-basin management that will be continued in the NWRM-11.

The Aksu Watershed Management Plan fully integrated with the Tajikistan Syr Darya Basin Water Plan is accompanied by DRR demonstration protection and mitigation projects.

In irrigation, NWRM-1 promoted water efficiency at plot level, developed and implemented the WUAs development scheme, and assisted irrigation agencies in building their capacities and in rehabilitation of their priority irrigation infrastructure. All the activities built a solid basis for further irrigation improvement in NWRM-11, and for full integration of irrigation management in the basin management.

Phase 2 01.12.2018 - 30.09.2023   (Completed)