UNDP Uzbekistan

printer-friendly 04/06/2012

The bright yellow sun, blue sky, peaceful river, green trees, flowers, grass, insects, birds, animals and a human being are perceptions of the nature of children participating in drawing competition in Navoi. Children know well that all living things and their environment need to co-exist side by side in harmony. Human beings play a main role impacting on the environment both positively and negatively.

Children Eco Festival has become an important event for more than 300 boys and girls from different schools, colleges and lyceums who participating in competitions for the best drawing, photo and poster as well as the best innovative project idea. The idea on how to interact with the natural environment with respect and care brings together all children’s works. How can we change our everyday habits so that we can preserve nature? How can we use limited water resources? How to manage factories, power plants, mines, transport and cities so that nature has not changed under their influence? How can we follow reducing, reusing and recycling practices? Children look for answers for these and other questions in their works.

Located in the lower reaches of the Zarafshan River Navoi region has its own unique quality, character and history. The construction of Kariz, an underground water-pipeline system near Nurata, is connected with the name of the Alexander the Great. Kariz is an ancient water-pipe laid from the source of the spring water to a place where it could be used. Its length could reach several kilometers. Interconnected wells that were dug out in several meters apart from each other, were used for the cleaning the pipeline system. Local people use it today like centuries ago. All sectors of economy are clearly present in Navoi oblast. The industrial and agricultural sectors are most developed. Presently due to the considerable industrial development and population growth as well as the need for providing food security and social welfare, issues of water supply and its conservation are the most urgent because of their limitation and vulnerability to contamination. These issues are reflected in the drawings, photos, projects and presentations made by children and adults.

A joint project of the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of Uzbekistan and the UN Development Program - Integrated Water Management and Water Efficiency Plan for Zarafshan River Basin has launched this year its first pilot project to develop an integrated water resource management (IWRM) plan for Navoi region. “By piloting the project in Navoi we are getting a very valuable experience. The local staff will gain practical skills how to perform intersectoral water resource planning. We will consider this experience for developing the IWRM plan for whole Zarafshan River Basin" - believes U. Islamov, the IWRM project manager.

Ecological Festival in Navoi is only a part of the Eco Week which organized this year for the second time, jointly by the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Nature Protection, UNDP, UNESCO Office in Uzbekistan and many other organizations. June 5, 2012 World Environment Day will mark its 40th anniversary. It was established according to the resolution of the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1972 based on the results of the Stockholm Conference on environmental issues. The celebration of this day is aiming to rouse each person’s longing to preserve and enhance the environment. Humanity is on the verge when it needs new values to make this world a better place for future generations. The first step is to raise our children in an eco-friendly manner.