Influence of Land and Water Rights on Land Degradation in Central Asia

Abstract

Land degradation is a key issue for Central Asia as an agrarian region. Land degradation in Central Asia is usually seen as a technological challenge and corresponding solutions are associated with the improvement of land-use technology. However, the reality is more complicated and multi-faceted. Institutional aspects of land degradation in the region are more prominent and yet unnoticed. De-linked water and land rights, increased land production functions, water infrastructure degradation, a lack of water-use monitoring, and a lack of knowledge among water users constitute the major institutional aspects of land degradation in Central Asia. This paper looks at the linkages between water and land rights and the main aspects of land degradation. The research was built on a literature review, including internationally funded project reports and in-house investigations.