While conflict and cooperation in Central Asia are mainly focused on the larger basins
(Amu and Syr Darya) and the implementation of the agreement reached directly after
independence (1991), here an analysis of the history of water-sharing agreements in the
Isfara Basin is presented. The paper reveals that there have been fierce negotiations and
renegotiations even during the Soviet Union period between the Central Asian riparian
republics; agreement was reached mainly though engineering solutions that brought
more water to the basin. The paper highlights that although water-sharing agreements
were reached early on, the technical capability of implementing these agreements was
lacking. Similarly, even after independence, agreements had been reached but lack of
water control hindered their implementation.Keywords: Cooperation,
Isfara River,
Conflict,
Small transboundary tributaries,
Ferghana Valley,
Water management,
Big Ferghana CanalThis is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by Taylor & Francis Inc
