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ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT MELIORATIVE STATE OF IRRIGATED LANDS IN
KARAKALPAKSTAN AND STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVEMENT
Alimov Atabek
National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek.
Abstract.
Karakalpakstan is a region that is confronting numerous environmental
challenges. Located at the downstream terminus of the Amu Darya River basin, Karakalpakstan
suffers from the accumulation of salts and various pollutants carried by the river, posing serious
challenges to agriculture in the region. Therefore, in this paper, we aim to analyze the current state
of irrigated lands in Karakalpakstan using multi-year data from responsible organizations. Our
findings indicate that non-saline areas constitute 22.6% of the total area, whereas slightly saline,
moderately saline, and high to very high saline lands account for 32.7%, 35.9%, and 8.8%,
respectively.
Key words.
Irrigated lands, soil salinization, climate change, GIS technologies.
The rapid increase in global population in recent decades has been leading to the continuous
and unsustainable exploitation of natural resources by human society, resulting in their sharp
decline and degradation. Besides, under the influence of global warming, the current state of natural
resources, particularly land resources are significantly deteriorating [3]. These challenges are
particularly serious in regions with large populations, agriculture based on intensive irrigation, and
arid to semi-arid climates. Central Asian countries, especially Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, which
are characterized by harsh continental climate conditions, fall into this category. In these countries,
the abovementioned issues—such as population growth, irrational use of land and water resources,
and the adverse effects of global climate change—are clearly observed. In particular, these
problems are widespread in Uzbekistan. For instance, irrigated areas in oasis regions (Navoi,
Bukhara, Khorezm, and Syrdarya provinces) continue to face challenges such as soil salinization,
rising groundwater tables and mineralization, as well as improper use of water resources.
Another region of particular importance is the Republic of Karakalpakstan that is facing
severe environmental challenges. Located in the northwestern part of Uzbekistan, Karakalpakstan
borders the Republic of Kazakhstan to the north, northwest, and west; Navoi region to the east;
Bukhara region to the southeast; Khorezm region to the south; and the Republic of Turkmenistan to
the southwest. The territory of Karakalpakstan includes the northwestern part of the Kyzylkum
Desert, the southeastern part of the Ustyurt Plateau, the Amu Darya River delta, and the southern
part of the Aral Sea. This region differs significantly from other parts of Uzbekistan due to its
extremely hot and dry summers, cold winters, large diurnal and annual temperature fluctuations,
high evaporation rates, short vegetation period, low cloud cover and humidity during the growing
season, strong winds, frequent dust storms, and very low precipitation. The highest temperatures are
observed in July, often reaching +46°C, and in some years even higher. The July isotherm averages
around +28°C [4].
During the Soviet era, Karakalpakstan was primarily specialized in cotton production, with
significant investments made in irrigation systems and the establishment of collector-drainage
“TABIIY FANLAR: DOLZARB MUAMMOLAR VA ULARNING YECHIMLARI”
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networks. To achieve targeted cotton yield, the various pesticides and herbicides have been applied
to agricultural areas, thus polluting both land and water resources. This application and practices,
including cotton cultivation has persisted until recent years. Consequently, these irrigation and
drainage systems have become outdated, the irrational use of water resources has caused
waterlogging and large-scale salinization in Karakalpakstan. Currently, Karakalpakstan faces a high
degree of salinization, with over 50% of its irrigated lands affected by chloridic salinity (FAO,
2018), and is regarded as one of the regions with the poorest ameliorative conditions in Uzbekistan
[1].
According to the Karakalpak Meliorative Expedition under the Ministry of Water Resources
of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, there are currently over 500,000 hectares of irrigated
agricultural lands in the region, with the majority (approximately 71%) affected by varying degrees
of salinization [2]. Most of these salt-affected soils are concentrated in the southern districts
(Khojeli, Shumanay, Kanlikol, Kungrad, Chimbay, Karauzyak, Takhtakupir, Bozatav, and
Muynak), where saline soils occupy more than 50% of the total irrigated area (
Figure 1
).
Figure 1.
The total area of irrigated and salt-affected lands by district.
The Melioration Expedition concludes that the major factors contributing to soil salinization
in irrigated areas are the quality of irrigation water, the groundwater table/mineralization, and high
air temperatures during the vegetation period. These factors are interrelated and negatively affect
the
productivity of irrigated lands, thereby posing a serious threat to agricultural production [2].
Enhancing and maintaining the ameliorative condition of irrigated lands is of critical
importance for ensuring sustainable agriculture, particularly in regions like Karakalpakstan, where
irrigated farming is a cornerstone of the economic stability and social development. However, such
efforts require considerable funding from government and meticulous monitoring to better assess
the underlying issues. In addition, implementation across large areas could present significant
challenges.
Therefore, it is highly advised to integrate modern Geo Information Systems (GIS), Remote
Sensing (RS) data, and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms for further assessment and future
39.5
33.62
30.12
34.42
32.38
26.12
30.71
2.21
35.52
35.66
42.55
48.75
29.11
7.93
34.67
32.16
21.53
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Total Irrigated area
Total salt-affected area
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prediction. Such an approach is crucial for analyzing the spatial and temporal dynamics of soil
salinization, land degradation, and vegetation cover, identifying hotspots susceptible to various
problems, and developing effective meliorative measures. It would play a key role in ensuring the
sustainability of agricultural production, promoting the efficient use of land resources, and
preventing further soil degradation in the region.
References:
1.
FAO. Handbook for Saline Soil Management (2018). (Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations and Lomonosov Moscow State University).
2.
Ministry of Water Management of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the Karakalpak
Meliorative Expedition data.
3.
Squires V. R., Glenn E. P. Salination, desertification and soil erosion //The role of food,
agriculture, forestry and fisheries in human nutrition, 2011. vol. 3. Pp. 102-123.
4.
The Meliorative Condition of Irrigated Lands in Uzbekistan and Their Improvement.
Tashkent, 2018. p. 13.
