For the first time, the republic has developed and approved a comprehensive guiding document on the creation of artificial glaciers. The new technology involves implementing an "Artificial glacier — reservoir — farmer" system combined with drip irrigation.
Addressing the water shortage
According to Matraim Zhusupov, a water resources expert at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the initiative aims to combat water scarcity in mountain communities. The problem is linked to the shrinking of natural glaciers and the reduction of small river runoff, which seeps into the ground before reaching villages.
The scale of the technology implementation will cover a significant part of the country:
Project scale
"Small river runoff is decreasing due to the reduction of natural glaciers. Low runoff seeps into gravelly soil and does not reach the village. Because of this, for example, trees around a school in a mountain village have dried up. Due to the lack of irrigation water, people in mountain villages stop farming and engaging in crop production and livestock breeding. This leads to population migration. Only the elderly and children remain, even though mountain villages are already sparsely populated. Creating artificial glaciers can help solve a complex set of problems, including the preservation of biodiversity."
Previously, glaciers in mountain areas were created spontaneously. As the expert noted, due to the lack of engineering calculations and adherence to technology, such facilities operated for only a year or two before failing. The new document contains specific engineering calculations to ensure the durability of the systems.
Context
Matraim Zhusupov is a water resources expert at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
