Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 8 September 2020, the next "Government Hour" was held at the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis. At it, the deputies heard the answers of the chairman of the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Geology and Mineral Resources, Bobur Islamov, about the measures taken to identify underground water resources and drill artesian wells for crop rotation in sown areas with heavy water supply, as well as supplying water to the population’s farmstead.

As noted at the event organized in the videoconference format, our country is developing a legal and organizational framework for ensuring food security during the coronavirus pandemic and the global crisis, systematic work is underway. In particular, in order to fulfill the tasks outlined in the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On additional measures to ensure food security, rational use of available resources and state support for agriculture during the coronavirus pandemic" from 1 May  2020, 6 wells were drilled for irrigation 400 hectares of the area located near the villages of Olmos, Akhcha, Namangan region. Similar wells were drilled in the Jizzakh region - 12, Bukhara - 11, Tashkent - 10, Kashkadarya - 3, in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and in Fergana 2 each.

It was emphasized that the development and implementation of research programs in the direction of hydrogeology in our country is carried out through the State Unitary Enterprise "Uzbekhydrogeology" and its 4 field expeditions. In all regions of the republic, work is being carried out on geological exploration and assessment of the volume of groundwater. In particular, in 2020, 86 billion soums will be allocated for geological exploration work on 82 projects. Also, in order to develop the material and technical base of the State Unitary Enterprise "Uzbekhydrogeology", over the past 3 years, 20 drilling rigs, 4 compressors, 3 logging equipment, 36 vehicles, etc. have been purchased and used in geological exploration.

The deputies showed interest in the ongoing work in the implementation of a unified procedure for state statistical reporting of groundwater consumers, as well as the widespread introduction of information and communication technologies in the monitoring system of groundwater use.

According to the chairman, monitoring of groundwater quality is carried out within the framework of the Environmental Monitoring Program in the Republic of Uzbekistan. In addition, in order to regulate the accounting of groundwater consumption, a form of departmental statistical information has been developed and, with the corresponding draft law, has been submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers for approval. With the use of information and communication technologies in the monitoring and cadastre of groundwaters, software is being introduced for the formation of an interactive cartographic database in the "Online" mode and supplemented with data. Currently, out of 2667 observation wells, 250 are equipped with remote automatic measuring devices, and in November their number will reach 400.

As the deputies noted at the "Government Hour", today the use of groundwater by legal entities and individuals for various purposes is increasing. Along with drilling companies, the number of unauthorized and unaccounted wells is increasing due to the use of equipment and hand tools by individuals. As a result, the level of groundwater in some areas decreases and becomes more polluted. What steps are being taken by the committee to prevent and streamline such cases?

The chairman of the committee dwelled on this issue in detail and noted that as a result of improper use of groundwater, water resources in the Zamin, Nurata and Kushrabad regions are sharply reduced. The measures taken to eliminate such negative situations were approved by a government decree and are being implemented. That is, monitoring and control have been strengthened, permits for drilling new wells and water use are issued on a separate basis, and water intake facilities are inspected. It turns out that practical assistance to water users in ensuring their rational use.

In order to prevent the occurrence of the above cases and their timely detection, monitoring and control of the use of groundwater is even more strengthened. In particular, work is underway to increase the number of observation wells from 1950 to 3000. An inspection has also been created under the State Committee for Geology, which has the right to monitor the situation.

People’s representatives also made their proposals and recommendations on the issue under discussion at the "Government Hour". At the end of the discussion, it was decided to ensure effective parliamentary control over work in this area.