Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — During its 55th plenary session, the Senate of Uzbekistan reviewed a report from the Ministry of Water Resources on the implementation of measures aimed at the rational and efficient use of water resources, improving water management mechanisms, and strengthening the legislative framework in this area.

The Senate emphasized the importance of protecting water resources, using them efficiently, improving water management systems, and enhancing the legislative base related to water resources.

Specifically, "Smart Water" control devices have been installed at 11,446 water management facilities, "Diver" devices at 6,953 facilities, and online monitoring systems at 1,709 pumping stations. Additionally, 67 major water management facilities have been fully automated.

Through the use of digital technologies, water-saving methods have been implemented on over 400,000 hectares, and necessary irrigation and reclamation measures carried out. As a result, more than 2 billion cubic meters of water were saved in the first half of this year.

Throughout the country, clusters and farming enterprises have concreted 10,540 kilometers of internal irrigation networks, and cleaned 34,885 kilometers of canals, ditches, and flumes.

The "suvkredit.uz" platform has been launched, providing concessional loans amounting to over 2 trillion soums for the implementation of drip, sprinkler, and discrete irrigation systems on 134,300 hectares.

To stabilize the ecological condition of the Aydar-Arnasay lake system, 871 million cubic meters of fresh water were released from the Chordara reservoir, along with an additional 300 million cubic meters from other sources.

The "Water School" has been established, providing training to about 70,000 participants, and the "Water Projects Center" has been set up.

During the session, alongside the achievements, a number of issues requiring further attention were highlighted. Recommendations and suggestions were provided to the responsible officials.

In particular, it was noted that there is a need to conduct a thorough inventory of the legislation governing this area, considering climate change factors, accelerate the concreting of canals using innovative technologies that are cost-effective and quick to implement, and introduce economically efficient bioagrotechnologies and water-saving technologies in agriculture.

In agriculture, emphasis should be placed on reducing water consumption, fixing irrigation system defects, lowering overall water losses, implementing water-saving technologies, improving water usage culture, and instilling the concept that "water is not free" in the public consciousness.

Following the discussion, the Senate adopted the corresponding resolution on this issue.