The files we follow: International drug trafficking, Geopolitics of transboundary water resources
Consider subscribing for free access to the full content!
In September 2024, the Taliban regime in Afghanistan accelerated the construction of the Qosh Tepa canal, a controversial project designed to divert part of the Amu Darya river’s waters. Stretching 285 kilometers, the canal aims to irrigate about 550,000 hectares of farmland in northern Afghanistan, regions chronically affected by droughts and lacking adequate irrigation infrastructure. The canal has become a priority for the Taliban, who are seeking to revive national agriculture to address Afghanistan’s food crisis and economic dependency.
However, the impacts of this project were quickly felt in downstream countries, particularly Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Uzbekistan, in particular, raised concerns over the effects of diverting Amu Darya’s waters on its agriculture, which heavily relies on irrigation for crucial crops such as cotton. A 15 to 20% reduction in water resources could result in a significant drop in agricultural production, exacerbating economic vulnerability and social tensions in rural regions like Surkhandaryo and Karakalpakstan.
Vous devez souscrire à un abonnement EurasiaPeace pour avoir accès au contenu - Prendre votre abonnement
