APPLICATION OF GIS AND DATA MANAGEMENT TOOLS FOR IWRM IN CENTRAL ASIA

Abstract

Growing competition between sectors and states, increasing signs of climate change makes water resources management in Central Asia a challange. In fact this situation is more profound in transboundary river basins, where inter-sectoral competition is coupled with interstate aspects. Therefore, application of water resources planning, IWRM (Integrated Water Resources Management) principles in the context of transboundary river basins is the most crucial element for sustainable water management. The objective of the paper is to present a case study on systematic application of the data management activities in Central Asia for improving water management. The case study presented in this paper implemented within the scope of Transboundary Water Management in Central Asia Programme (TWMP CA). TWMCA programme is funded by German Foreign Ministry and it is the part of the ‘Berlin Process’, an initiative by the German Federal Government to support the countries of Central Asia in water management and to make water a subject of intensified transboundary cooperation.