Agriculture is a mainstay of Central Asia’s economy. With the economic crisis following independence it has become even more important. Agriculture being almost entirely dependent upon irrigation, access to water is of strategic importance. Two major Tributaries – The Naryn and the Kara-Darya – both originating in Kyrgyzstan, join to form the Syr-Darya, one of the two largest rivers serving the Aral Sea Basin, and the key water resource of the whole Ferghana valley.

Year: 2006

From collection: Environment and Security: Central Asia- Ferghana/Osh/Khujand Area

Cartographer: Philippe Rekacewicz, UNEP/GRID-Arendal