Implementation of the Provisions of the Water Code of Turkmenistan related to the principles of basin management has started in Murgab Oasis.Project “Water, Education and Cooperation” of the Regional Ecological Fund of Central Asia and the Executive Committee of the International Fund for Saving of Aral Sea, which cooperation is built according to signed memorandum, is aimed for this purpose.
Small Basin Council of water consumers including representatives of velayat and etrap administrations, farming associations, water management facilities Marysuwhojaly and the Water Control Service of Mary Velayat under the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Management has been established in the velayat for the first time.
The representatives had the second session of the council with the participation of specialists of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, Executive Committee of the IFAS, members of public organizations, where aspects of such management in Murgab Oasis as well as the potential of its hydrotechnical system have been reviewed.
It is planned to reconstruct some sections of the oldest in the country water system under the project.Report about facilities of Murgab Valley has been presented by employee of the Project Institute Turkmensuwlymtaslama Amanvery Beglanov, who noted that irrigation structure of the velayat has hundreds kilometres of channels and dozens of hydrotechnical facilities.
The area of irrigated lands of the oasis is 120 125 thousand hectares.Owing to Sariyazyn Water Reserve, other 40 45 thousand hectares are irrigated from Karakum River via Mash-channel.
It was highlighted at the meeting that many of existing hydrotechnical facilities have historical value as they were built in the end of XIX beginning of XX centuries.Sariyazyn Water Reserve with its dam, Kolkhozbent, Yolotan and Hindukush hydrotechnical facilities as well as final facility at the river the Govshutbent, have been suggested for reconstruction.
Production Department of Restoration Works Mrrysuwhojalyk and Mary Research and Mechanical Factory will assist in supply of spare parts and in construction and installation works.National Coordinator of the project, Head of Information and Analytical Department of the IFAS Executive Committee Guych Abayev highlighted that all planned activities are aimed at the improvement of conditions for water consumers of the oasis.