total: 488,100 sq km
land: 488,100 sq km
Coastline: 0 km Turkmenistan borders the Caspian Sea (1,768 km)
Population: 4,518,268 (July 2000 est.)
Source: CIA Worldfact Book (2000)
Turkmenistan
n.a.
(Source: CIA World Factbook 1999)
n.a.
COASTAL MANAGEMENT IN TURKMENISTAN
EUCC has compiled country files on Integrated Coastal
Management (ICM) for all coastal states of Europe and
Central Asia. Summaries for all countries will become
available in August.
This page provides a preliminary summary on the following
items for Turkmenistan:
- Spatial planning
- Environment
- Nature Conservation
- Sectoral Development
- Framework for Development of ICZM
- National Achievements in the Field of ICZM
- Problems and Constraints for the Development of ICZM
1. Spatial Planning
1.1 Legislation and Regulations
- Land Code of Turkmenistan (1990)
- Rules of Exploitation of Hydrocarbon Deposits of Turkmenistan,
- Resolution on Delivery Lands for Construction and Agricultural Land Tenure (1991)
- Administrative Code concerns the amended former USSR code
- Criminal Code (1997)
- Civil Code (1999)
- Law on the Continental Shelf is being considered by the President, but has not been signed.
There are several other regulations and decrees related to all fields of activity. The mark of ground surface below which it is forbidden to construct buildings on the coast of the Caspian Sea has been determined and has a width of approximately 25 m.
1.2 Administrative Competencies
The national government consisting of the President, Cabinet of Ministers and Parliament (Medjlis) is responsible for issuing laws. The Administration ñ meaning local and regional authorities as well as several organisations - is responsible for the fulfilment of laws, regulations and decrees. She can work out her own proposals, but the Government must agree to the ways of their realisation. The State Committee for Land-tenure, System of Land Tenure and Land Reform Implementation is also involved.
1.3 Coastal Policy
The national Programme of Development of Turkmenistan till 2010 describes coastal policy and implements planning firstly at a regional and secondly at a local level. The policy in coastal zone management mainly deals with the presence of hydrocarbon and mineral resources, the development of agriculture, the industrial sector and the extension of the transport network. Furthermore, the National Environment Programme of Turkmenistan includes the sub-component Land Use Planning and Management Process, which includes a pilot coastal zone management plan for the Caspian Coast of Turkmenistan.
2. Environment
2.1 Legislation and Regulations
- Law on Natural Protection (1991)
- Decision about Measures for Radical Improvement of Ecological Conditions in Region of the Caspian Sea (1991)
- Law on Reinforcement of Responsibility for Ecological Infringement of the Law (1991)
- Law on Ecological Examination (1995)
- Land Code
- Water Code concerns the amended version of the former USSR code of 1972.
- Criminal Code (1997)
2.2 Administrative competencies
On a national level responsibility for environmental protection mainly lies with the Ministry of the Use of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, which has made an agreement concerning differentiation of functions with the Ministry of Human Health and Medical Industry. The Ministry of the Use of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection - together with units of self-management - carries out actions to maintain execution of laws such as inspections at national and regional level. The Ministry consists among other things of a Research and Production Centre of Ecological Monitoring and 5 regional Departments of Natural Protection. The decisions for environmental and natural resources are co-ordinated with regional authorities and local bodies of self-management, provinces (velayats) and regions (etraps). In some cities special environmental protection divisions exist. Local self-management units are charged with the measures on rational utilisation of natural resources and environmental protection. General state control for the observation of the nature protection legislation is carried out by the Procuratorís office.
2.3 Environmental Policy
The National Plan of Actions on Environmental
Protection (NEAP) was prepared and the National Plan
of Actions on Hygiene of Environment (NEGAP) is being
developed. The National Environment Programme of
Turkmenistan aims at creating effective environmental
legislation and standards, building capacity in the Ministry
of Environment, strengthening the Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) process and environmental information
management. [44]
3. Nature Conservation
3.1 Legislation and Regulations
- Law on Nature Protection (1991)
- Law on State Specially Protected Natural Territories (1992)
- Presidential Resolution On Taxes for the Bowels of the Earth Utilisation (1992)
- Law on the Bowels of the Earth (1992)
- Law on Protection and Rational Use of Flora (1993)
- Law on Protection and Rational Use of Fauna (1997)
3.2 Administrative Competencies
Governmental institutions, which competence include preservation of fauna, flora and natural resources are the Ministry of Nature and Environment Protection and the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry. No further information received.
3.3 System of Protected Areas
In the middle and southern part of the coastal zone the Khazar state reservation was established in 1968, which embraces the Turkmenbashi plot and the Gasan-Kuli-plot. On the Eastern Caspian seashore the Ogurchinski reserve, established in 1982, functions under the Khazar state reservation.
Sub-components of the National Environment Programme
of Turkmenistan include Management of Protected
Areas, which is to deal with an advice to the government
on protected areas management procedures and a pilot
management plan for the Kopet-Dag Protected Area. Another
sub-component is concerned with developing a Framework
for Tile Management of Species that Require Protection,
which is to include a Pilot Recovery Plan for
selected endangered plant and animal species. Furthermore,
in 1999 a second edition of the Turkmenistan Red Data Book
was issued.
4. Sectoral Development
4.1 Coastal Defence
There are no large-scale measures in coastal defence activity. The coastal zone is only protected from objects located close to the shore, which can pollute the seawater. For example the storage of oil wastes located on the Cheleken peninsula was surrounded with an earth dam.
4.2 Recreation and Tourism
The coastal zone from Turkmenbashi city to Bekdash has favourable conditions for development of the tourist industry. However, tourism and rest zones have mainly been developing to fulfil inner demands. The unique natural complex of the Turkmenistan coast will attract tourists from abroad, but the infrastructure of the tourist industry is insufficiently developed and embraces mainly departmental rest zones. Furthermore, there is a lack of tourist complexes with the necessary facilities. Of relevance are: Regulations about Development of Recreation Zones and Tourism of the Caspian Coast of Turkmenistan
4.3 Fisheries and Aquaculture
There is one single fish-factory at the Caspian coast (Turkmenbashi city) available for storage and treatment of fish. However, its opportunities are limited due to a lack of necessary equipment and because all components for production manufacture - except fish itself - have to be imported from other countries. However, at present its capacity is increasing. Recently, the Fishery Law was drawn up. Limits for industrial and scientific fishing are in accordance with the decision of the Commission for Bioresources of the Caspian sea. Main principles of strategy in fishery include full prohibition of industrial fishing at the river mouths and scientifically yearly justified limits for sturgeon fishing. Amateurish fishing is highly developed. Aquaculture at the coastal zone only has an experimental character. Natural conditions are favourable, but there are no funds available for its implementation, neither from the government nor from national and foreign investors.
4.5 Transport and Energy
Turkmenistan has a well-developed transport network of railways and roads. There is a merchant fleet. Links across the Caspian sea are created by the Turkmenbashy - Baku ferry and the Turkmenbashy - Astrakhan ferry. Furthermore, the international air terminal complex that was opened in 1994 has become a crossroad of Europe and Asia.
Turkmenistan has substantial energy resources, including natural gas and oil. Since 1995 oil production has steadily been increasing. [45] Natural gas production has been falling in recent years due to non-payment for supplies by foreign and domestic customers and disputes with Russia over transit fees. The countryís ability to develop its vast gas resources and its significant oil reserves is complicated, because it almost entirely relies on the Russian pipeline network to get its exports to foreign markets. To link its gas resources to large markets an export infrastructure must be developed. Turkmenistan has excess electric generation capacity and has the potential to boost its electricity exports.
4.6 Harbours and Shipping
The Turkmenbashy sea port is the biggest on the eastern shore of the Caspian sea and provides sea and river links with Mediterranean and Baltic ports. It is the main port of Central Asia. The port is used for freight, fishery and sea shipping of passengers and transport. Smaller ports are the Cheleken port, port Aladja and the port in the Bekdash settlement.
4.7 Industry
Industry is one of the foundations of the economy of Turkmenistan. The fuel and energy sector is responsible for the largest amount of industrial production (58%). [46] At present oil, oil processing, chemical and electro energetic are the most significant branches of industry. The most important branches of the food industry are vegetable oil, fish, meat, flour production and wine making.
4.8 Agriculture
Main responsibility for issues concerning agriculture
lies with the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Economy.
Turkmenistan knows intensive agriculture contributing 18% to
GDP (1996est.). [47] The
growing of cotton and raising of sheep, horses and camels
are the most important branches of agriculture. Turkmenistan
is among the top 10 cotton producers in the world. The other
major crops include grains, vegetables and fruits. In the
coastal zone agriculture can be developed but the advantages
are not expected to outweigh the expenses involved.
5. Framework for the Development of ICZM
Turkmenistan has ratified the following conventions:
- UN Convention to Combat Desertification (1996)
- Rio de Janeiro Convention on Biodiversity Preservation (1996; accession)
- Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal (1996)
Currently a Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea is under preparation. Ramsar Bureau is awaiting confirmation of the status of Turkmenistan as party to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat.
6. National Achievements in the Field of ICZM
- In 1995 the Belgian Company IVNE started with the extraction of Artemia salina cysts from the Karabogazgol Bay in a joint venture with the Turkmenistan Ministry of the Use of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (since 1999 with the President Fund). Some of the profits are used to support the Hazar reservation.
- No further information received.
7. Problems and Constraints for the
Development of ICZM
- There exists no separate programme for integrated coastal zone management.
- Economic interests usually win when in conflict with ecological interests.
- Low level of ecological awareness.
- There are no possibilities for public participation in coastal management and decision making.
- Lack of purposive investments.