Water resources policy and administrative management

As a result of overcontrol of the Big (Bolshoi) and Small (Maly) Uzen Rivers transboundary with Russia and the West Kazakhstan region, non-rational use of water and land resources, the Karasu River ecosystem which feeds itself from the Small Uzen River has greatly deteriorated bringing along the River shallowing and oozing, biodiversity reduction, soil salinization, pasture and hay-making area capacity decline. Waste and discharges from Kaztalovka village located on the River Karasu banks pollute the water, while local authorities and nature protection agencies fail to pay adequate attention to activities for the River ecosystem restoration and water protection against pollution. This Project aims at restoring the Small Uzen and Karazu tranbsboundary rivers water regime, water pollution prevention, the Karasu River biodiversity rehabilitation, improvement of local community livelihood in the Kaztalovsky district, West Kazakhstan. The project implementation incorporates information and lobbying campaigns in execution of the Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 262 On Additional Measures for WKR Social and Economic Development up to 2005 which relates to preparation of the intergovernmental draft agreement with the Russian Federation about utilization of the Big and Small Uzen transboundary rivers. Apart from this, a packet of measures has been planned to ensure the Karasu River water regime, water protection against pollution and water rational utilization, enhancement of environmental awareness among local population. The project tasks are 1) Intensification of nature protection activity and involvement of local community into Project activity 2) Lobbying on bringing into effect the Resolution of the Government of the RK about settlement with the Russian side of transboundary issues of the Big and Small Uzen Rivers utilization 3) Restoration of the Karasu River water regime and ecosystem 4) Karasu River waters protection against pollution and their rational utilization 5) Enhancement of environmental education and improvement of Kaztalovka villagers livelihood As a result of Project realization the following outcomes are expected: 1. Restoration of optimal water regime of the transboundary Small Uzen and Karasu Rivers and prevention of threats ensuing from overcontrol. 2. Prevention of the Karasu River pollution and restoration of its ecosystem. 3. Drawing attention towards and intensification of nature protection activities of local authorities, state institutions, local community, enhancement of environmental education level and improvement of local community livelihood 4. Accomplishment of final results can be checked through analyzing hydrological data and investigation of ecological condition of the Small Uzen and Karasu Rivers, laboratory sampling for pollution, meetings with local population, local authorities and comparative evaluation of local people incomes.

Kazakhstan