The Russian Academy of Sciences has begun a scientific study of the possibilities for redirecting part of the Siberian rivers to Central Asia, including Uzbekistan. This was reported by Zamon.uz.
The project envisages the construction of seven major pipeline lines with a length of over 2 thousand kilometers from the Ob River to Uzbekistan, capable of delivering up to 5.5 billion cubic meters of water per year.
The Academy's Earth Sciences division has approved the inclusion of this direction in the official research plan and recommended that the Ministry of Science and Higher Education provide funding.
According to preliminary estimates, the project cost could exceed $100 billion, and the construction of the infrastructure could take at least 10 years.
Scientists plan to conduct an in-depth study of the environmental, hydrological, and socio-economic impacts of water diversion. It is emphasized that water scarcity is increasing in Central Asia, the process of desertification is accelerating, and water supply for agriculture is deteriorating.
For reference, a similar project was developed for 20 years during the USSR period and was halted in 1986. Experts, while acknowledging the strategic importance of the project today, also note the primary necessity of using existing water resources rationally.
