Project on Comprehensive plan for the restoration of degraded desert pastures in the Central Karakums and their sustainable management in conditions of increasing drought
Goal: Develop a sustainable Management Plan for Desert Pastures in the Central Karakums to enhance their productivity and ensure water supply, thereby supporting the local population engaged in desert livestock farming.
General Information about the Project Site: The project will be implemented on the territory of the "Yerbent" livestock farm located in the Central Karakums of Turkmenistan. This area is characterized by typical desert vegetation and sharp seasonal fluctuations in forage availability. The pasture area covers about 100,000 hectares. The main activity of local communities is migratory desert livestock farming, which is entirely dependent on the condition of the pastures.
Current Problems:
- Low productivity of desert pastures (0.5-1.2 centners/ha).
- Insufficient number of watering points for livestock.
- Degradation of pastures and formation of shifting sands due to uneven water distribution.
- Increasing droughts and decreasing precipitation, worsening pasture conditions.
Project Objectives:
| 1. | Analysis of the state of pastures | Includes studying legislation, policies, and current issues in pasture relationships. |
| 2. | Assessment of pastures in the "Yerbent" FA | Ecological state, yield, degree of degradation, water availability, impact of climate changes. |
| 3. | Development of a sustainable Management Plan | Includes implementing pasture rotations, using GIS technologies, improving water supply (rehabilitation/construction of wells and sardobs). |
| 4. | Dissemination of management methods | Applying successful technologies in other similar regions of Turkmenistan. |
The project aims to create a sustainable pasture management system that will enable local communities to effectively use natural resources, increase productivity, and ensure stable water supply, significantly improving their well-being.