Sustainable Use of Groundwater Resources in the Transboundary Aquifers of the Five Central Asian Countries: Challenges and Perspectives

Abstract

Groundwater is critical for supporting socioeconomic development but has experienced gradual decreases in recent decades due to rapid population growth and economic development throughout the world. In recent years, the utilization of transboundary groundwater resources has received extensive attention globally. Because transboundary aquifers do not follow borders and are concealed, neighboring countries are prone to experiencing conflicts over the use of these transboundary groundwater resources. Therefore, an accurate and comprehensive assessment of the development potential of groundwater resources in these transboundary aquifers is necessary for the rational and fair use of those groundwater resources. Transboundary groundwater resources are an important water source for life, production, and ecological water use in Central Asia, which has a distinctive continental arid and semi-arid climate, and surface water resources in this region are relatively scarce. Considering the existing problems related to the utilization of groundwater resources in the transboundary aquifers in this region, we propose developing strategies for on-demand water abstraction, enhancing the ecological protection of transboundary aquifers, and strengthening international cooperation. This paper summarizes the distribution of 34 transboundary aquifers in Central Asia and analyzes the status and potential of groundwater resource uses in these transboundary aquifers.