Kyrgyzstan has initiated a criminal investigation into the destruction of glacial ice by a private company, highlighting concerns about water shortages in the Central Asian country.
Glaciers are large masses of ice that form on land over centuries from compacted snow.
They serve as a crucial source of freshwater in Kyrgyzstan, a country without access to the sea and home to numerous glaciers, but they are increasingly at risk due to rising temperatures caused by climate change and mining activities.
The glacial ice in the southern Osh region was damaged when a private company “illegally constructed a road to a coal mine” in the area, allegedly in collusion with a state-owned company, according to prosecutors on Thursday.
“The illegal actions of the private company led to the destruction of glaciers and soil covering an area of 9,392 square meters,” prosecutors stated.
A criminal case has been initiated by prosecutors for environmental safety violations and “abuse of official position,” although further details were not provided.
Acting as natural water reservoirs, glaciers are vital sources of freshwater and play a significant role in maintaining food security in Kyrgyzstan, where melting ice is utilized for irrigation and agriculture.
Concerns about water scarcity in Central Asia are increasing, with climate change, aging Soviet-era infrastructure, and disputes over water rights all contributing to the issue.
bk-cad/oc
