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AMERICAN	Journal	of	Engineering,		
Mechanics	and	Architecture 

Volume	01,	Issue	10,	2023	ISSN	(E):	2993-2637	
 

  
Solving Environmental and Water Problems in Uzbekistan 

 

Muradov Shukhrat Odilovich, Turdieva Feruza Alisherovna,  
Turaev Ulugbek Murtazoevich 

Karshi engineering economic institute, Karshi, Uzbekistan 
 
Let me start at once with the fact that Uzbekistan is the birthplace of ecology. This is proved by 
the fact that 3000 years ago our ancestors, or more precisely Khorezmians, first wrote a great 
book "AVESTA" (7th century BC). It is imbued with the idea: Man should always keep himself 
clean, protect vegetation and ensure purity of land, water and air. 
By the way, today in 23 points of the World there are functioning AVESTA centres, in 1825 the 
book was published in English, in 1972 in French, in 1973 in German and in 1901 in Russian. 
Why do we make such a conclusion, yes, because man is the main subject of ecology, and the 
last three elements of nature, noted in AVESTA, form the basis of the fundamental concept of 
ecology - biogeocenosis (or we can say ecosystem), more precisely "biotope", which consists of 
"climatope" (air, atmosphere), "hydrotope" (Water, hydrosphere) and "edaphatope" (soil, soils). 
Our compatriots-knowledgeable already at that time for the first time paid attention to these main 
elements of nature and foresaw the necessity of preserving these important elements of the 
ecosystem.  
Based on the works of our ancestors, our President at the 78th session of the UN General 
Assembly (19.09.2023) once again reminded that: "We are rightly proud that our country is the 
homeland of such great scientists and thinkers as Al-Khwarizmi, Beruni, Imam Bukhari, Mirzo 
Ulugbek, Alisher Navoi, who made invaluable contribution to the development of world science 
and culture...".  
It should be noted that only after the statement of these important elements of nature in AVEST, 
100 years later in VI-I centuries BC in the ethical poems of India "Mahabharata" and 
"Ramayana", as well as 300 years later in the Chinese chronicles (VI-II centuries BC) were made 
identical statements. It was only in the 5th century B.C. that ancient Greek thinkers - Heraclitus, 
Empedocles of Agrigent, Socrates, Hippocrates (5th century B.C.), Xenophondus, Plato, 
Aristotle (4th century B.C.), Theophrastus of Eresia, Eratosthenes (3rd century B.C.), Strabo, 
Lucretius (1st century B.C.) and others - wrote about it. 
Assessing the current state of nature, the President of Uzbekistan at this session of the United 
Nations emphasised that: "Today, there is an acute ecological situation in the world. The triple 
planetary crisis caused by climate change, loss of biodiversity and environmental pollution is 
intensifying".  
In order to understand the value of this assessment, it is worth briefly recalling once again the 
essence of the concept of "Ecology" as a sphere of development of the human mind in the field 
of biosphere conservation. The subject of ecology is literally the science of organisms "at home" 
in mutualism with the "environment". Today, the lower boundary covers a depth of 10 
kilometres across the ocean floor. The upper boundary is the observable Metagalaxy. Our 
compatriot Abu Ali Ibn Sino wrote about it in the XI century (Avicenna): that there is 
otherworldly life, 300 years before the statements of Giordano Bruno. Today, knowledge in this 
range is necessary for cognition of ecological factors; it will make it possible to clearly present 



 

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the importance of the fundamental laws of science and increase environmental literacy, 
education and culture of society. And as the President noted: We have become convinced that 
accessible and quality education for all is the most effective factor...for sustainable economic 
growth. 
In general, ecology should be seen as a synthetic science, more or less closely related to almost 
all sciences. In the process of integration, ecology has found itself, as it were, at the crossroads of 
natural, basic and technical sciences, on the one hand, and social and political sciences, on the 
other. It is possible that in the not too distant future, ecology will become the core of a super-
science that will unite all our scientific knowledge into a single whole (in the sense of a system 
of common knowledge). And as Abu Rayhon Berunyi noted: "If people do violence to nature by 
grossly violating its laws, the time will come when it will bring down on their heads unthinkable 
calamities that no force can stop."  
Nowadays ecology is a rapidly developing science. It plays a special role in the life of both 
society and each individual. Our President noted as a matter of principle that: "...are not 
sufficiently engaged in the republic in serious issues of ecology" (Narodnoe slovo, 16.01, 2017, 
p.2). It is appropriate to emphasise that this state has developed precisely because the general 
level of environmental education and upbringing is still insufficient, the environmental culture of 
people is low, this is one of the main tasks required by the President (from the video conference 
call, 02.02.2022). Although in the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan. "On Nature Protection" 
(09.12.1992) requires "... to provide environmental education in all types of educational 
institutions" (Article 4, 3rd paragraph), some universities of the republic, not realising the 
importance of the subject of ecology in the light of the President's requirement, unreasonably and 
unreasonably exclude it from the curriculum. In the Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of the 
Republic of Uzbekistan. No. 434 dated 29 May 2019. "On approval of the concept of 
development of environmental education in RUzb." requires: "...to raise the effectiveness of 
environmental education to a new stage". It is known to all that, according to Socrates, it is easy 
to teach others, but it is more difficult to know oneself. Indeed, this is the beginning of man, who 
is different from other representatives of the living world by his Intelligence. But forgive me 
Socrates, today we can say more: Not only know yourself, but also do not harm yourself, 
destroying your home, which is the entire biosphere of the Earth. This is what the science 
commonly called ecology is aimed at. However, this is only one aspect of the problem. The 
modern level of knowledge and the complex of problems facing humanity requires the creation 
of a unified scientific picture of the World. The closest to solving this problem is ecology, with 
its many branches. It is relevant today to say that one of the main enemies of ecology is wars. It 
may seem strange to some, but in order to feel and appreciate peace, one must know war and not 
only know it, but be horrified by its inhumanity. And to search, to search for ways, methods, 
opportunities, how to get rid of the catastrophe, this, perhaps, a little paradoxical revelation we 
call the Law of Conscience. And as they say, everything will be useless if we do not have 
Conscience in relation to ecology, to its main subject - the ecological system. Worrying about the 
current situation, the President drew the attention of the world community to the fact that: "There 
is a crisis of confidence, increasing problems in the activities of global security institutions and 
departure from the norms of international law. All this is causing growing tension in the world. 
...Even dialogue on issues that concern the fate of humanity as a whole, such as climate change, 
the fight against hunger and inequality, has been noticeably undermined. The President noted the 
country's main political strategy: Turning Central Asia into a peaceful and prosperous region will 
remain a priority goal of Uzbekistan's foreign policy. He demanded: ...UN member states should 
act even more united in the fight against such common threats as international terrorism.  
And then once again touched upon the issue of ecology and conscience: ...At this pivotal 
moment in history, we should consider what kind of planet we will leave to future generations. 
...It is only through shared aspirations and joint endeavours that lasting peace and prosperity can 
be achieved. More than ever, we need mutual trust, solidarity and co-operation. The words of the 



 

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President form the preamble of the Law of Conscience, aimed at preserving the main subject of 
ecology - Man with a capital letter: Homo sapiens - man of reason. In order to emphasise 
environmental aspects in each law, the Ecological Code of Uzbekistan has been prepared and is 
at the stage of approval. The organisation of the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection 
and Climate Change of Uzbekistan is encouraging. (Decree of the President dated 31.05.2023 
No. PP-171). 
Paying attention to the main vital factor of ecology - water, the President of Uzbekistan 
Sh.M.Mirziyoyev noted at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly: ...We are in favour of 
attracting the most advanced technologies in the process of creating the Platform of water-saving 
technologies in Central Asia, using the mechanism "United Nations - water resources". On the 
cover of the book "Water: A Drop of Life" by the American writer Peter Swenson it is noted: 
"Where water ends, life ends, this is a saying among Uzbeks" [7]. Such recognition is based on 
the fact that, in fact, if the Sun is the father of all life on Earth, then water, according to many 
scientists, is the maternal "womb" that gave birth to life. The hydrosphere is the main component 
of an ecological system or, more precisely, of a biogeocoenosis and its component ecotope (or 
biotope). It should be noted that Uzbekistan is one of the ancient civilisations of irrigated 
agriculture in Central Asia. This is evidenced by archaeological excavations and studies of S.P. 
Tolstov, which showed that the greatest development of the irrigation network in the lower 
reaches of the Amu Darya reached in the period from the VI century BC to the III century AD. 
The great Russian climatologist A.I. Voyeikov at the end of the XIX century argued: "...that the 
belt of arid areas of Asia (i.e. Turkestan) is incomparably more favourable for human life and 
activity than the areas of the United States of America, provided, of course, that irrigation is 
established" [2]. 
The Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On Approval of the Concept of 
Water Sector Development in the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2020-2030" is aimed at solving 
water management problems at the modern level using innovative ideas of scientists under global 
and regional climate change.  
According to the UN forecasts, by 2050 the population of the Earth will be 8.9 billion people, 
and from 2 to 7 billion people will suffer from water deficit. Various international organisations 
estimate that by 2025, a third of the world's growing population will suffer from a lack of water 
for irrigation. Today, 80 per cent of all global freshwater resources used by mankind are 
consumed for irrigation. According to the International Food Policy Institute, by 2030, the area 
of irrigated land is expected to increase by 20 per cent and water use is expected to increase by 
14 per cent. As they are the source of about half of the world's food production. In accordance 
with the United Nations General Assembly Resolution No. 70 adopted at the UN Summit on 
Sustainable Development in September 2015, as well as in order to organise systematic work on 
the consistent implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN Global Agenda 
2030, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan adopted a Resolution (20 October 
2018, No. 841) "On measures to implement the national Sustainable Development Goals and 
targets for the period until 2030", where it is noted in Goal 6. Uzbekistan adopted a Resolution 
(20 October 2018, No. 841) "On measures to implement the national Sustainable Development 
Goals and targets for the period until 2030" where it is noted in Goal 6. - Conserve and rationally 
utilise water resources for sustainable development, availability and development of sanitation 
for all; in Target 6.4. - By 2030, significantly improve water use efficiency in all sectors of the 
economy; in target 6.5. - By 2030, ensure integrated water resources management at all levels, 
including, where appropriate, through transboundary co-operation. It should be noted that 
scientists of Uzbekistan have developed innovative technical recommendations to put into 
practice the adopted Resolutions of the President and the Government of Uzbekistan. However, 
as the President of Uzbekistan noted in his Address to the Oliy Majlis (28.12.2018): "So far they 
are set out on paper, but we have to turn them into practical actions and real results, and for this 
we need to work hard". 



 

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For more than 45 years, scientists of the Karshi Institute of Engineering and Economics have 
been working on solving the above urgent problems of ecology and water sustainability. Taking 
into account huge experience in this branch, we offer a number of overdue solutions that can be 
used throughout Central Asia and arid areas of the World. Firstly, as it is known, scientific and 
technical policy, especially in various fields of industry, is implemented by engineers and 
technicians who do not have special environmental training. This also applies to students of 
technical, technological, economic and social-humanitarian specialities of higher education 
institutions. In this connection, we recommend to universally use the prepared textbook 
"Ecology" for non-biological directions, which covers the minimum of necessary ecological 
knowledge, and specific problems of ecology are linked to engineering measures of 
environmental protection. The whole methodological material and cross-cutting general 
scientific educational programme on ecology (with the basics of nature protection) are given. 
Secondly, as for fresh water for the population, under reasonable utilisation there is enough of it 
in Uzbekistan for the distant future. These are, first of all, groundwater reserves of the Fergana 
Valley, Pritashkent and Jizzak zones, Zarafshan Valley, Kitabo-Shakhrisyabz depression of 
Kashkadarya, Surkhandarya basin. For example, according to scientists' calculations, the 
availability of fresh groundwater in the republic is about 293.4 cubic metres per second. With the 
population of 36024946 (01.01.2023), there are 703.7 litres per 1 person per day. With the 
average norm of 240 litres per day, it is possible to provide 105.6 million people or the supply 
will be 139.3 years, if we move to the European norm of 120 litres per day, these reserves will 
provide 211.3 million people or the supply will be 350.6 years. Today, developed countries are 
thinking about reducing the norm of water consumption to 80 and in the future to 60 litres per 
day. In our opinion, it is time to create a unified water supply network of Uzbekistan (similar to 
electricity and gas pipelines). These waters and waters of fresh water reservoirs should be used 
mainly for drinking needs. In this way we can remove the problem of water supply to the 
population with own fresh water. This is an extremely vital problem. For example, in Sweden the 
water consumption per person is 120 litres, in Israel 100 litres, in the Netherlands 80 litres. At 
the same time, the Swedes take a shower 5 times a day. What is observed in our country. 
Consumption per 1 inhabitant is set at 240 litres per day. The main reason is outdated fittings, 
low efficiency of the water supply system, more than 50% is lost due to leaks. In addition, the 
high cost of water due to the operation of old pumping units with low efficiency. We are 
developing integrated water resource utilisation schemes. We need to calculate these schemes for 
all organisations in the long term in the light of the requirements of the Law of the Republic of 
Uzbekistan "On Water and Water Use", Articles 106, 111, 112 and the Decree of the President of 
Uzbekistan dated 10.07.2020. The Decree of the President of Uzbekistan dated 10.07.2020 "On 
Approval of the Concept of Water Sector Development in the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2020-
2030" states: To define the priority directions of the Concept: introduction of integrated water 
resources management principles, guaranteed water supply to the population, stable water supply 
to economic sectors, improvement of water quality and preservation of ecological balance of the 
environment. The next issue, domestic utilisation of saline water. This will introduce a complete 
system of integrated water resources management in the municipal sector. 
Thirdly, if we want to ensure water sustainability, and even more so sustainable development in 
Central Asia, it is extremely necessary to transfer all large industrial enterprises, including 
planned NPPs, to the use of desalinated ground and surface water. We have developed and tested 
a water demineralisation plant based on gas hydrate technology, which is recognised as 
ecologically economical [4]. This will solve the environmental problem as well. Today, the 
volume of saline groundwater and collector-drainage water is increasing (they account for 30% 
of water withdrawal). These are artificial saline lakes in Uzbekistan such as Sichankul (600 
million m3 ) Achinkul (126 million m3 ) Arnasay lakes (more than 30 billion m3 ) and many 
lakes in Priaralie, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. They account for billions of cubic metres of 
water. It is already necessary to think about demineralisation and their use in technical needs and 



 

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industry. With appropriate treatment, drinking water can be obtained and the waste can be used 
to produce gypsum, lime, soda and table salt.  
Fourthly, it should be recognised that along with hydrological and meteorological drought, soil 
drought is also observed. In the message of the President of Uzbekistan for 2023, it is noted that 
for the last 3 years the country has been experiencing low water levels. ...Over the last 15 years, 
the total amount of precipitation has decreased by 25 per cent. There are more abnormally hot 
days in summer, which indicates that more challenges lie ahead. Naturally, as in 2022, this has 
led to an increase in the irrigation norm in 2023 due to intense evaporation, which will lead to 
soil drought. By the way, according to the forecasts of American scientists 2024 is predicted as a 
year with abnormally high summer temperatures. For the purpose of rational use of irrigation 
water, we propose the mass introduction of specially designed devices that promote subirrigation 
[1]. Cascade introduction of the technology will allow reducing the irrigation norm by 1.5-2 
times. They solve a complex of environmental and social problems. They should be arranged on 
collector-drainage, irrigation and river networks. They contribute to raising the groundwater 
table to the optimum depth. Fifthly, taking into account repeated demands of the President on 
wide introduction of drip irrigation, we propose a very necessary technology to reduce 
evapotranspiration, conserve energy, and increase soil fertility. The essence of the technology 
lies in the use of local minerals-heavy clays (as opposed to hydrogels). By the way, we propose 
to use this technology for drip irrigation of forest plantations in the Priaralie zone (1.7 million 
ha). This technology contributes to the prevention of wind erosion by increasing soil 
connectivity. Especially in Tebinbulak deposit of Karakalpakstan according to Goskomgeologiya 
data there are more than 169 thousand tonnes of vermiculite. However, according to researches 
of 1937 their reserves were more than 1 million tonnes. This technology can be used in the 
whole region of Central Asia taking into account availability of local minerals. In Kashkadarya 
region these are the reserves of glauconite sandstones in the villages of Naiman, Mabika and 
Aksu. There are also glauconite sandstones in Kiziltepa district of Navoi region, clays in Fergana 
region, Chimion and Shorsu deposits, glauconites in Tashkent region, bentonite clays in 
Khorezm region and so on. The President of Uzbekistan noted that the system of 
Goskomgeologiya on drafting the Programme of Development and Reproduction of Mineral-
Raw Material Base requires special attention. In this regard, we have developed a "method of 
soil reclamation" [5]. It is based on the use of local natural minerals - vermiculite, perlite, etc. 
They increase fertility and reduce physical evaporation from soils. A mechanism for the 
application of the above minerals and a method of cutting tortuosity along the furrow bottom has 
been proposed, which prevents irrigation erosion and increases the water retention capacity of 
soils. Unfortunately, vermiculite of Tebinbulak deposit is currently exported to Russia and 
Turkey, in 2021 it was sold for $623 thousand (Zhamiyat, 12.02.2022). Sixth, it is known that 
the main thing in increasing crop yields is not water but soil fertility. Scientists have identified a 
link between livestock production and land fertility. So, for example, organic fertiliser from 40 
sheep can contain the fertility of 1 ha of land. Or 5-6 head of cattle. Taking into account 4.3 
million hectares of irrigated lands of the republic, we should have 172 million heads of sheep 
and goats in our arsenal. According to the data of 2022, there were 22626.3 thousand heads 
(which is 7.7 times less), cattle were 12611.8 thousand heads. Total 35238.1 thousand heads, it 
contributed to providing 63% of irrigated lands with organic fertilisers. And if we take into 
account 20.3 million hectares of agricultural lands, they are provided with 13.3% of organic 
fertilisers. Here is the picture, there is no fertility and lack of meat and dairy products. And as for 
fertility, we all know that the appraisal of our lands is very low, which is reflected in the yield of 
agricultural crops. We have lost our natural ecosystem, and a complete ecological danger is 
looming. Scientists have proved that straw from spikelets increases the fertility of land 10 times 
more than organic fertilisers. It is extremely necessary to intensively implement the crop rotation 
system. Seventhly, it is necessary to assess the quality of surface and groundwater under current 
conditions with a forecast for the distant future as soon as possible. For this purpose it is 
necessary to analyse metamorphisation (change) of chemical composition of natural waters. This 



 

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will allow us to forecast salt content in soils and, accordingly, to take measures for soil 
protection in advance. At present, local soda salinisation of soils is observed in foothill areas. 
Scientists have proved that if they occupy 20-30% of irrigated area, they are considered 
unprofitable. To prevent sodic salinisation, we propose a method of soil desalinisation, which 
simultaneously promotes the release, during chemical reclamation, of Chilean nitrate, so 
necessary for plants [6]. Eighth, all the above-mentioned innovative solutions contribute to the 
development of improved integrated water resources management technologies for each 
administrative district. They should be developed at the level of agricultural plots, large 
industrial enterprises, provinces and river basins. We have vast experience in calculation, 
experimentation and implementation at the production level. 
It should be noted that all the proposals have been tested in laboratory and field conditions, 
tested and approved by scientists-specialists from the USA, Europe, Russia, Kazakhstan and 
Turkmenistan. Technical solutions are ready for stage-by-stage implementation, all technical 
solutions have received author's certificates and patents for invention. They are brought to the 
final ecological and economic effect [3]. We hope that this set of technical innovations will be 
taken into account by water management organisations and clusters, population of homestead 
plots, relevant agencies and practitioners when developing a "road map" on this issue and will be 
implemented in order to improve environmental and social conditions and food security of the 
population of Uzbekistan.  

List of literature used  
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Мурадов Ш.О. и др. 1987 
2. Мамедов А.М. Развитие ирригации в Узбекистане. Ташкент: ФАН, 1967. -297 с. 
3. Мурадов Ш.О. Научное обоснование водоустойчивости аридных территории юга 

Узбекистана. - Ташкент: ФАН. 2012.- 376 с. 
4. Патент РУз № 04339. Способ деминерализации коллекторно-дренажных вод/ Мурадов 

Ш.О., Валуконис Г.Ю.//Расмий ахборотнома.2000. №3. 
5. Патент РУз № 4539. Способ мелиорации почв /Мурадов Ш.О., Хамраев Н.Р., 

Валуконис Г.Ю., Романенко В.П. // Расмий ахборотнома. 1997. №3. 
6. Патент РУз № IDP 04470. Способ рассоления почв / Мурадов Ш.О., Валуконис Г.Ю., 

Мурадов М.О., Отакулов У.Х., Шарапов Ш.Т.// Расмий ахборотнома. 2000. № 5. 
7. Peter Swanson. Water: The Drop of Life, North Word press, Minnetonka, Minnesota, 2001. 

USA. P.143