Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with UNDP, is implementing the joint project "Building Knowledge and Skills of Local Partnerand Communities to Address Environmental Insecurities through Innovative Air, Land, and Water Management Solutions in the Aral Sea Region” in 2024 which is funded by theMulti-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea Region in Uzbekistan (MPHSTF) with three objectives as follows:

Objective 1: Participatory ecosystem restoration to enhance community-based tugai and desert pasture ecosystems management (UNDP and FAO)

Objective 2: Adopting new approaches in water purification, afforestation, and soil stabilization in the Region (UNDP and FAO)

Objective 3: Promoting integrated air, water, and soil quality monitoring systems to facilitate regulatory practices in the Region (UNDP and FAO)

As part of this project, an assessment of the ecosystem in Muynak, Kongirot, and Takhtakopir districts will be conducted, with efforts to enhance the local population’s knowledge and skills in ecosystem protection, establish green spaces and nurseries, and ensure active participation of local communities.

Furthermore, an agreement was signed between FAO and the Turkish Chamber of Forest Engineers (OMO) on 1st August 2024 to develop “the Ecosystem Restoration Guidelines for the Aral Sea Region: Integrating UN Decade, FAO Solutions, and Native Tree Species Conservation”.

To that end, Ismail Belen, a representative of the Turkish Chamber of Forest Engineers, visited Uzbekistan to assess the region’s ecological conditions. During the visit, he met with representatives from various ministries and organizations. Notably, discussions held at the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the FAO Office in Uzbekistan, the Multi-Partner Trust Fund for the Aral Sea Region, and the UNDP Office in Uzbekistan focused on improving the living conditions of the population in the Aral Bay area, which has been severely affected by the ongoing environmental disaster. The discussions emphasized the need for comprehensive solutions addressing food security, healthcare, and income generation for local populations, utilizing modern technological approaches. It was highlighted that the future ecosystem restoration guidelines for the Aral Sea region will incorporate climate change considerations.

Mr. Belen, together with Jakhongir Babadjanov and Dildora Aralova visited the Kongirat State Forest and Hunting Farm in Karakalpakstan, where they were briefed on ongoing forest restoration efforts. Specifically, the team was informed about an initiative to plant desert plant seeds across 8,144 hectares of the Aral Sea bed.

By the end of the year, 8,341 kg of seeds had been collected, including 8,168 kg of desert plant seeds and 173 kg of ornamental and fruit tree seeds. During visits to the Muynak and Kungirat districts, an assessment of the local ecosystem conditions was conducted.

The Turkish expert observed that “despite the challenging ecological conditions, desert-adapted plants such as saxovul (Haloxylon) and yulgun (Tamarix) were thriving. One can hear a flock of cuckoos indicating that nature is beginning to restore itself forming a unique ecosystem.” Conclusions were drawn on the need for a "wetland management" approach in these areas. The visit also included meetings with representatives from the International Innovation Center for the Aral Sea, under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

As part of the joint project, a training workshop, led by international experts Anastasia Mazneva and Aibek Baibulov was held in Kungirat and Takhtakupir district when, with over 50 participants from ecology, water, agriculture, and other relevant sectors, as well as farmers and students. The workshop featured a combination of theoretical sessions led by international and local experts in the first half of the day, followed by hands-on fieldwork in the afternoon. Participants received practical instructions on planting seedlings using innovative methods. They were also introduced to water conservation technologies, such as moisture retention around plant roots, and observed the use of Waterboxx systems in practice.

These innovative solutions play a crucial role in ecosystem protection, forest development, and mitigating the negative effects of climate change.