From May 27 to June 7, 2024, the World Bank conducted a mission to support the Climate-Resilient Water Services Project. Sub-component 1.2, “Improvement of Irrigation and Drainage Services,” which deals with the modernization of three river systems—the Kurshab-Sai River system in Osh oblast, the Kara-Unkur River system in Jalal-Abad oblast, and the Shakhimardan River system in Batken oblast—was the primary emphasis of the mission. The irrigated area under these three schemes covers 28,000 ha. The project envisages modernization of off-farm irrigation canals and irrigation infrastructure located on the following canals: Otuz-Adyr canal (Osh oblast), Nurgaziev canal (Batken oblast) and Levaya Vetka canal (Jalal-Abad oblast). In addition, construction of a ten-day regulation facility (also known as a decade storage reservoir, or DSR) on the Shakhimardan River and construction of a new tunnel on the Otuz-Adyr Canal are envisaged.
Mitigation co-benefits relate to (a) upgrading three gravity irrigation systems and minimizing reliance on groundwater abstraction that rely on greenhouse gas-emitting diesel pumps, and (b) promoting climate-smart on-farm agriculture to increase soil carbon sequestration and increasing its fertility, reducing soil erosion and increasing the efficiency of water and energy use.
During the mission, the team of the WRS PIU under the MWRAPI of the Kyrgyz Republic presented the project’s implementation outcomes, including design of modernization facilities and environmental and social safety measures.
On May 29–30, members of the WB mission traveled to Osh along with staff members of the WRS PIU, the engineers, and experts from the consulting firm SU-Yapy. They met with the heads of the District Water Management Organizations (RVKs) in Kadamjay, Bazar-Korgon, and Kara-Suu districts, as well as the management and experts of the Main Water Management Organizations (MWMOs) of the Osh, Batken, and Jalal-Abad regions. They also visited the Kurshab-Sai River system rehabilitation facilities in the Osh oblast.
The dates for finishing up the creation of design estimates and submitting them to state experts for review were covered at the meeting. During the meeting, much attention was paid to environmental and social issues. Representatives of the MWMOs and RVKs asked questions regarding the timing of the start of construction work.
It is expected that project documentation for the Kurshab, Kara-Ungur and Shakhimardan irrigation systems, including approval of the state examination, will be ready by July 31, 2024.
Environmental and social screening of all modernization facilities was done in order to put the World Bank’s environmental and social requirements into practice. Preliminary data indicates that social and environmental dangers are rated as moderate. However, there may be a substantial environmental concern if a new tunnel is built on the Otuz-Adyr canal and an NSR is built on the Shakhimardan River. The screening results will be sent to the World Bank for Bank’s consideration and approval.
