On June 17, the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is marked under the theme "Restore the land. Unlock the оpportunities". This message aligns closely with the objectives of the RESILAND CA+ program, which focuses on restoring degraded lands across Central Asia.
A Regional Response to Global Challenges
According to UN data, up to 40% of the world's land resources are degraded, which affects agricultural development, economic stability, and the well-being of populations. This issue is also relevant for Central Asia, where agriculture plays a significant role in national economies. In response, the countries of the region are implementing measures to combat desertification and restore degraded lands.
Tajikistan: Integrated Solutions for Land Restoration
The RESILAND Tajikistan project, part of the regional RESILAND CA+ program funded by the World Bank, serves as an example of such efforts. The project operates in ten regions, including Khatlon, Sughd, and Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, implementing targeted interventions:
- Forest restoration in erosion-affected areas of Panjakent;
- Pasture rehabilitation in Vanj;
- Support for sustainable agriculture in Shahritus and Nosiri Khusrav;
- Biodiversity conservation and ecotourism development in national parks such as Tigrovaya Balka and Zorkul.
Pastureland restoration is one of the project’s priorities due to its role in food security. Land inventories are conducted using modern technologies, with individual restoration plans, equipment provision, and livestock vaccination contributing to increased productivity and income for farmers.
Key figures:
✅ 3,900+ hectares of forest restored
✅ 250+ business plans developed for rural communities
✅ 47% of participants are women
✅ 336,000+ people have received support
Particular attention is being given to forest restoration: more than 3,900 hectares of forest land have already been covered. Trees are being planted, conditions are being created for the natural regeneration of forest cover, and local communities are being engaged in sustainable forest management.
Equally important is the social focus of the RESILAND Tajikistan project. Farmers and rural residents receive subgrants to support greenhouse development, beekeeping, horticulture, water supply, and other agricultural activities. Over 250 business plans have already been approved. Women and youth are actively involved — more than 47% of beneficiaries are women. They receive not only financial support but also training in modern agricultural technologies, environmental practices, and natural resource management. This contributes to strengthening social equity and fostering a new generation of environmentally responsible leaders.
The project has positively impacted the well-being of more than 336,000 people, enhancing the economic resilience of rural areas and preserving the country’s unique natural environment.
The Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) provides advisory support to the project, helping to strengthen regional cooperation and shared management of natural resources.
Kazakhstan: Increasing Forest Resilience and Climate Adaptation
Kazakhstan continues large-scale efforts to expand forest areas. In 2025, the area of the forest fund increased by 6.9 million hectares (25%), with plans to reach 14.5 million hectares by 2030. Between 2021 and 2024, 1.36 billion trees were planted on 736,800 hectares, with 114 new nurseries established, including the expansion of the Semey Ormany model. Additionally, 15 million trees have been planted in urban areas for the past four years.
Afforestation efforts are also underway on the dried bed of the Aral Sea, with 672,000 hectares restored. A branch of the Kazakh Research Institute of Forestry has been opened in Kyzylorda. Forest fire monitoring systems covering over 4 million hectares have been introduced. Meanwhile, forest carbon offset projects are being implemented, such as the planting of 200,000 trees on 1,500 hectares in the Almaty region.
Kyrgyzstan: Reducing Disaster Risks through Landscape Restoration
In Kyrgyzstan, climate-resilient landscape restoration measures are being implemented to reduce disaster risks. On 22 landslide-prone sites, both engineering ("grey") and nature-based ("green") solutions are applied, including reforestation, slope terracing, and the construction of small upstream dams.
This integrated approach helps to slow water runoff, prevent erosion, improve soil moisture, and restore biodiversity. Work is also underway to develop an online climate risk catalog, a roadmap for transboundary disaster risk reduction, and guidelines for applying nature-based solutions.
Turkmenistan: Combating Land Degradation in Desert Ecosystems
Under RESILAND CA+, 630,000 hectares in Turkmenistan are scheduled for restoration over five years using phased, environmentally friendly nature-based solutions. Key restoration zones include Dashoguz Velayat, northern Lebap Velayat, the Central Karakum Desert, and southeastern areas such as the Khauskhan Massif and Tejen Oasis.
Uzbekistan: Greening Efforts Against Desertification and Sandstorms
Uzbekistan is conducting large-scale afforestation on the former bed of the Aral Sea, planting native shrubs and trees across 500,000 hectares. These efforts help stabilize the soil and reduce the frequency of dust storms. Landscape restoration also provides environmental and economic benefits: preventing ecosystem service loss, promoting carbon sequestration, improving air quality and public health, and enhancing agricultural productivity. Natural capital accounting supports the government in evaluating restoration scenarios and selecting priority actions.
CAREC’s Role in Advancing Sustainable Development
Recognizing the region’s vulnerability to droughts and sand and dust storms—especially in semi-arid and arid areas—the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), with the support of partners, works to assist countries in coordinating efforts to combat desertification and land degradation within the framework of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
Through the project "Regional Approaches for Combating Sand and Dust Storms and Drought", CAREC has supported national and regional strategy development, risk reduction measures, expert mobilization, and resource coordination to address sand and dust storm risks across Central Asia.
"The World Day to Combat Desertification serves as a reminder that land degradation is a real challenge requiring urgent action. Initiatives such as RESILAND CA+ demonstrate that with coordinated support from governments, international organizations, and communities, it is possible not only to halt desertification but to turn it into an opportunity for sustainable development and prosperity," noted Dilovarsho Dustzoda, CAREC Program Manager for Climate Change and Sustainable Energy and Project Manager for Consulting services for strengthening regional collaboration under RESILAND Tajikistan Project.
By Zhanna Khusainova, PR/Communications Consultant/Expert, CAREC, pr@carececo.org