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Conclusions on priority issues 1. Use of natural resources and their depletion Presently, natural resources in the coastal zone of Turkmenistan are underemployed. This was first of all due to historical background. Major settlement started in the middle of 19th century, but it wasn’t dangerous for the natural environment. Even by the end of 20th century the population of this area was lesser than in other populated areas of Turkmenistan. Conditions of the ambient environment also were hindering development of farming, oil and gas fields were exploited at the limited territory, which has been alleviating impact on the environment. From the other hand, development of industry, transportation, sprawl of urban areas couldn’t help influencing on an environmental situation. One of the oil refining plants created a huge dead zone because of discharging waste into one of lagoons of the Turkmenbashi bay. Emissions of burnt associate gas pollute the air, exacerbating air pollution caused by vehicles. Except for man-made influence, the coastal zone also suffers from natural reasons, such as perennial water level fluctuations, resulting in changes of coastal landscapes, habitats of some representatives of flora and fauna. The local population has to adjust to new conditions; this leads to additional expenses. In general, the state of environment in the coastal zone of Turkmenistan is not in critical condition and there are reserves for sustaining it and in some cases for improving. However, it is necessary both to stick to the policy of development of the national economy taking into account environmental requirements and to render financial assistance to such activities. 2. Water contamination and its quality The most polluted stretches of the Caspian at the territory of Turkmenistan are the Turkmenbashi gulf, since it is an enclosed area, the water exchange is lagged and process of self-purification of water takes more time, and waters west of the peninsula Chelken, where development of oil fields is under way. The main pollutants are sewage, oil products, getting into water from worn-out oil pipelines, oil reservoirs, and ballast waters discharged by tankers. Also pollution caused by a water level rise, from inundation of coastal areas. Thus, the priority measures for prevention of further sea pollution shall include replacement of communal and oil communications and more stringent control over oil tankers. Water quality monitoring network shall be extended, including not only coastal areas, but also open sea. 3. Human health There is a quite high rate of intestinal-infectious diseases at the considered territory. This happens due to disobidience with sanitary norms for lack of freshwater, insufficient development of communal utilities, especially in rural areas. Resolution of these problems can positively influence on human health in the region. 4. Biodiversity The main threat to biodiversity both onshore and offshore can be posed directly by human activities and indirectly by invasion of exotic living organisms resulting from unintentional human activities. For example, advent of stickleback and mnemiopsis leads to deterioration of marine fauna, reduction of population of sprat, herring and zander. At present, it is necessary to conduct special researches on reduction of influence of invaders on marine ichthyofauna. 5. Legislation on coastal protection and management There are no laws relating particularly to coastal zone since legally the coastal zone of Turkmenistan has not been demarcated. Laws and regulation applying to the rest of the territory also apply to the coastal zone. 6. Public participation in planning and management The existing public organisations and in general the population have possibilities to advise to governmental agencies. However, activity of the population is insufficient for solution of precise tasks. 7. Administrative and managerial capabilities The current policy of Turkmenistan is headed toward addressing economic goals and its implementation occurs under centralised management, i.e. local administrations have insufficient independence in management of their territories. |
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