Impact of Rogun Dam on Downstream Uzbekistan Agriculture
Abstract
Strains among the states of Central Asia caused by overuse of the region's
scarce water resources have been increasing in recent years. This is especially true for
the relations between Tajikistan, upstream, and Uzbekistan, downstream, on the
Amudarya River. Major controversy exists over constructing Rogun Dam on the
Vakhsh River, a tributary of the Amudarya River. Construction of Rogun Dam, with a
planned height of335 m (1099 ft), began in 1976 but was stopped in 1991 with the
breakup of the former Soviet Union. The intent of this dam is to supply Tajikistan with
energy, but a side effect will be the changed flow regime of the Amudarya River to
downstream states (especially Uzbekistan). The major impact will be on the agricultural
sector of Uzbekistan. The objectives of this study are to estimate the monetary impacts
of Rogun Dam and propose mitigation measures to minimize impacts. The study
investigates the nature and extent of those impacts and indicates policy implications to
mitigate negative consequences of the possible water shortage in summer by assessing
the baseline situation and comparing that situation with future status-quo (no changes)
level of water. Future water shortage could cost Uzbekistan annually over US $609
million economic loss in agriculture, reduce the country's GDP by 2.2%, and result in
336,000 unemployed people. If Uzbekistan changes its present water use practice and
increases water use efficiency, the future water shortage during irrigation periods will
not as seriously affect the country's economy, as adaptive management measures could
cut the losses by 40%.