Climate change and its Impact on Water resources: Case of Tajikistan

Dushanbe city (the capital of Tajikistan) is supplied from surface and groundwater of the Kafirnigan river and its tributary Varzob river. This water comes from rainfall, melted snow and ice. It is suspected that climate change may influence proportion of waters from different sources, eventually resulting in water deficiency during the summer period. The Institute of Water Problems, Hydropower and Ecology of the Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan (IWP), which is involved in water investigation, did not have the required capabilities to assess such changes. The first isotope hydrology project "Using Isotope Techniques to Assess Water Resources and Evaluate Their Hydrogeological Conditions" was implemented in Tajikistan during 2012-2013. Under this project, the IAEA provided support including equipment, software, training of specialists and some chemical analysis laboratory for analysis of water isotopes was established in IWP and staff was trained during the implementation of the project. Field and laboratory study provided information on the distribution of several chemical elements and isotopes (18O, 2H, 3H) in surface and groundwater, data on formation and travel of groundwater, and its residence time in aquifers. Equipment and software provided by IAEA were used afterwards for the assessment of climate change and water potential in the Pamir. Results of this study were published in a scientific magazine "Geography, Environment, Sustainability" (Moscow, Russia; http://www.rgo.ru/sites/default/files/upload/gi316_web.pdf). Obtained results were not sufficient for the evaluation of long term change of water resources as the project period was relatively short. It is necessary to engage more specialists in the field of isotope hydrology and involve staff of other state water-related agencies to continue research in future. Similar investigation can be initiated in other large river basins. It is also required to continue the monitoring process in the area investigated by the project. This can help to assess change of hydrological mode of water sources. Such study will generate scientific evidence, which will inform policies and decisions-making processes regarding the improvement of water resources management in both urban and rural areas. (author)