Nukus, Uzbekistan [April 19, 2023] – The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) Uzbekistan and government partners marked a significant milestone by inaugurating the newly planted tree windbreaks in Bozataw and Kegeyli. This endeavor, aimed at protecting arable land was undertaken by the Forestry Enterprises Bozataw and Karauzyak under the Committee of Forestry of the Republic of Karakalpakstan.
The initiative, titled “field protective tree windbreaks equipped with water saving technologies” is designed as a pilot green business model. It has been carefully tailored to suit the region’s environmental conditions with extensive consultation involving local stakeholders, including the local authorities and beneficiary farms. This initiative is a part of GGGI’s Green Rehabilitation Investment Project for Karakalpakstan Republic to Address Impacts of the Aral Sea Crisis (Aral Sea GRIP), funded by the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
In Kegeyli District, near Jusim Bag village, the Forestry Enterprise has initiated the planting of a single row tree windbreak which will amount to 5,000 Karatal trees over 10 km along the Kudiyar Jagys canal. Meanwhile, in Bozataw District, near Bozataw town, the Forestry Enterprise has successfully completed the planting of 480 large saplings for a 240m three-row windbreak of Russian Olive (Jiyda) and Apricot trees. “These tree windbreaks play a pivotal role in protecting land from sand and salt ingress, erosion, and moisture loss, ultimately boosting crop health and production. They are especially effective against north winds,” Dr. Aaron Russell GGGI’s Country Representative in Uzbekistan said. “GGGI in collaboration with the Forestry Enterprises is committed to ensure the sustainability of these interventions,” Dr. Russel added. The Forestry Enterprises have expressed their strong commitment to effectively maintaining and caring the trees over next 5 years. With GGGI’s support, the Karauzyak and Bozataw Forestry Enterprises will proceed to plant a total of 18,616 trees in Bozataw, Chimbay, Karauzyak and Kegeyli during this spring.
As part of the activities a hybrid Project Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting at the Chamber of Commerce in Nukus was also held. The PSC monitors the progress of the Green Rehabilitation Investment Project for Karakalpakstan Republic to Address Impacts of the Aral Sea Crisis (Aral Sea GRIP), which is funded by the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). Distinguished attendees including H.E. Jusipbek Kasbekov, Deputy Minister for Natural Resources of Uzbekistan (MoNR) and PSC Deputy Chairperson, representatives of the Uzbekistan Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade (MIIT) and KOICA joined virtually. Meanwhile, H.E. Marx Marxabaymanov, Head of the Secretariat for Ecology and Development of the Aral Sea Region at the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan (CoMRK), and representatives of the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade of Karakalpakstan took part in person.
Dr. Aaron Russell, the Country Director of GGGI Uzbekistan office, thanked the project’s key partners including KOICA, CoMRK, MoNR and MIIT for their unwavering support. He also emphasized invaluable contributions made by local government representatives, highlighting their role in making the Aral Sea GRIP project possible.
During the meeting, attendees received updates on the progress of Aral Sea GRIP’, key achievements and the 2023 implementation plans. GGGI paid special attention to share the Climate Smart Agriculture and Feasibility study, which found that 4 of 6 proposed climate smart business models have potential for green investment mobilization opportunities in the projects four partner regions; Bozataw, Chimbay, Karauzyak and Kegeyli. The windbreaks planted with Forestry Enterprises, as described earlier, are the project’s first successfully implemented measures to protect crop production. This spring, Aral Sea GRIP is also launching Climate Change Adaptation awareness raising trainings and a media campaign. The trainings and campaign will inform small hold farmers in Karakalpakstan about the local impact of climate change and measures to mitigate its risks.
H.E. Marxabay Nurmanov, representative of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, expressed his appreciation for GGGI’s efforts in Karakalpakstan and assured the attendants of the Karakalpakstan government ‘s continued active support and advisory role in the project.