The ELS-ABD joined efforts with the Global Environment Facility  (GEF) in Uzbekistan to spread information about GEF initiatives to communities in Fergana Valley, Karakalpakstan and Kashkadarya region. The GEF provides grants to support projects in the areas of biodiversity, climate change, land degredation and persistent organic pollutants. Whereas the ELS-ABD projects address environmental concerns, as the population of communities supplied with gas no longer need to cut and burn trees as firewood for heating and cooking purposes. Availability of gas supply in communities has enabled the population to increase their earnings by starting greenhouse and other small business ventures.

Every living thing on earth needs water. Practicing smart watering in agriculture can reduce the need for pesticides, by preventing plant diseases that are often caused by over-watering. During the month of June the ELS-ABD invited farmers from Fergana Valley, Karakalpakstan and Kashkadarya region to show drip irrigation technologies piloted in Zarkent district. Increasing water use efficiency, relative to other conventional irrigation methods, is one of the most relevant advantages of drip irrigation. The demonstration included some tips on how to properly operate and manage the drip system, as inaccurate irrigation scheduling or drippers clogging and the subsequent reduction of emission uniformity can limit the potential advantages of the drip system. The visitors got informed on basics to achieve a successful management of drip irrigations systems and how to save water in protected cultivation, from a practical point of view.

To bring smiles to children’s faces and talk to them about the importance of waste management and protecting the environment the ABD project organized an event in Kashkadarya region for school children in Nishon district. The first part of the event included a cartoon on waste management courtesy of the National Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan for UNESCO and the Asia/Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO under the production and utilization scheme of PLANET 3 “Waste Management”. The cartoon reminded children how important a clean environment can be for their lives and that of their communities. Thanks to contributions from UNDP and affiliated projects the school in Nishan now has 4 footballs, chess and checker boards for their free time.

The ELS and ABD projects work to improve the welfare of people living in rural areas of Uzbekistan. The projects are proud that together with YOU they can make a positive impact and find small solutions and in this way contribute to positive change.

[1] For more information on GEF initiatives in Uzbekistan, please see http://www.gef.uz/ru/index.php