In the arid climate of the Central Asia, water is the key factor for development.

In this region thawed snow and glacial water contribute significantly to the formation of water resources. The study supported by PP programme identified that Glaciers system in the Northen Slope of the mountain region of Zailiyskiy Alatau decreased at an average rate of 0.85% per year from 1956-1990.

There are very few studies that attempt to predict the development of the glacier system, the lack of a monitoring system in Central Asia is responsible for inadequate information on glacier mass dynamics.

This is a critical problem in the region, since glaciers are key indicators of global climate change. There is practically no monitoring system in place, for instance, for snow cover in the high-mountain belt above 3000–3200 m, even though this is where about half of snow is concentrated, according to research supported by the UNESCO’s Participation Programme.

The study was helpful to raise awareness and to better understand global change impacts on glacier, snow and water resources in the region.

Related links:
::  Brochure "The Natural Sciences Sector and the Participation Programme - Responding to local needs" [.pdf]