Climate change does not pose a threat to Tajikistan’s deep groundwater reserves, according to Ilkhom Oymukhammadzoda, head of the country’s Main Geology Department. He made the statement during a press conference in Dushanbe, as reported by Asia-Plus.
Oymukhammadzoda dismissed recent reports claiming a decline in groundwater levels in the country as inaccurate. He clarified that the effects of global warming are mainly seen in surface water sources, which are formed by precipitation and lie at shallow depths. These waters are seasonal and subject to fluctuations, especially during spring and autumn.
In contrast, deep aquifers are located much farther underground and are significantly less affected by climate variability. “Their volumes remain stable, and Tajikistan has substantial potential for utilizing these resources,” he stated.
According to the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, Tajikistan’s potential groundwater reserves are estimated at 18.7 cubic kilometers per year, with only 2.8 cubic kilometers currently being extracted — a small fraction of the available resource. Despite this surplus, usage is strictly regulated to prevent overexploitation and contamination.
To improve water access in areas with limited supplies of drinking water, Tajikistan drills between three to five deep wells each year. A new well was recently completed in the city of Tursunzoda to serve the local population.
The country also maintains a national water cadastre, monitors the protection of underground sources, and requires formal project approvals before exploration of new sites can begin.
Geographically, the largest reserves are located in the river basins of the Vakhsh (4.92 km³/year), Syr Darya (3.58 km³/year), and Kafirnigan (2.5 km³/year). Among the regions, Sughd Province holds 25.6% of total reserves, followed by Khatlon with 21.8%, and Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) with 21.4%.
Groundwater resources are also substantial in neighboring Central Asian countries. In Kazakhstan, predicted reserves exceed 64 km³ per year, with half located in the south. Kyrgyzstan’s total potential is 13 km³ annually, of which 3.5 km³ has been confirmed. Uzbekistan’s reserves are estimated at 27.6 km³ per year, or about 75.6 million cubic meters per day.
Experts emphasize that, despite the challenges posed by climate change, the sustainable use of deep groundwater offers a viable path to long-term water security in the region. In this regard, Tajikistan’s approach could serve as a valuable model for other Central Asian nations.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
July 25, 2025