Central Asia’s rivers face biodiversity collapse
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (MNTV) — An international study has raised alarm over the rapid degradation of river ecosystems across Central Asia, warning that dams and hydropower projects are pushing many unique freshwater species to the brink of extinction.
The report, published by the environmental coalition Rivers Without Boundaries, identifies major river basins critical to the region’s biodiversity and highlights how human activity is fragmenting and damaging these fragile ecosystems.
Only 12% of rivers in Central Asia remain in their natural state, supporting rare fish species that are now increasingly endangered, The Times of Central Asia reports.
Using advanced GIS (geographic information system) technology, researchers mapped more than 50 endemic fish species spread across five major river basins, including the Amu Darya and Syr Darya. According to Eugene Simonov, lead author and international coordinator of Rivers Without Boundaries, 21 of these species are now on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, facing imminent threats due to habitat destruction.
“Our analysis goes beyond fish. We also looked at tugai forests, rare floodplain vegetation, and species like the Asian otter that depend on healthy river systems,” Simonov noted.
The study points to a troubling future for Central Asia’s rivers, documenting 650 existing and planned dams that fragment waterways, block migratory routes, and destroy spawning areas. Scientists warn that some species, such as the Syr Darya false killer whale and Aral salmon, may have already vanished.
In response, experts have developed a GIS-based tool designed to evaluate the ecological impact of hydraulic infrastructure. According to Eugene Egidarev, a GIS specialist with Rivers Without Boundaries, this technology can guide future conservation strategies and help identify river stretches that must be preserved.
Environmentalists are calling for urgent action to protect what remains of Central Asia’s unspoiled rivers, along with the floodplains and riparian forests vital to sustaining regional biodiversity.
With hydropower projects on the rise, the challenge now is balancing energy development with ecosystem preservation. Without stronger safeguards, scientists warn, Central Asia risks losing irreplaceable species that have inhabited its rivers for millennia.
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