Bishkek:Kyrgyzstan is set to implement a groundbreaking initiative to create artificial glaciers in approximately 1,000 villages, primarily in mountainous regions experiencing water scarcity due to the reduction of natural glaciers.

According to 24.kg News Agency, the country has developed a technical guideline for this initiative, introducing a novel 'Artificial Glacier-Reservoir-Farmer' system that includes drip irrigation. This system aims to address the decreasing flow of small rivers, which results from the shrinking natural glaciers, leading to insufficient water reaching local villages.

Water resources expert Matraim Zhusupov from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations highlighted the pressing nature of the issue, indicating that the situation is expected to deteriorate annually. The lack of irrigation water has already led to the abandonment of agriculture and livestock breeding in affected mountain villages, forcing migration and leaving only the elderly and children behind. Artificial glaciers could provide a solution to these problems, including aiding biodiversity conservation.

Zhusupov further explained that previous attempts to construct artificial glaciers without proper planning or technical adherence often resulted in failure after a short period. To counter this, he developed a comprehensive engineering guideline, which was successfully tested in the Sumbula rural area of the Leilek district, Batken region, ensuring water shortages can now be tackled effectively.

The FAO plans to collaborate with development partners to attract investment and expand this technology nationwide. Local communities can build these systems using the traditional ashar method of collective labor. The experience has garnered interest from other Central Asian countries, including Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan, which may also benefit from this innovative approach to water management.