Bishkek, March 4, 2026 /Kabar/. Seven artificial glaciers have been built in Batken Oblast of Kyrgyzstan as part of a project to combat water shortages.
According to the press service of the regional state administration, the artificial glaciers are located in the villages of Gaz, Sogment, Bulak-Bashy, Kaiyndy, Aibiyke, Kok-Tash, and Sumbula. Local government representatives, led by Azizbek Adylbekov, met with an international delegation, including Russian Consul General in Osh Roman Svistin, as well as representatives of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the OSCE. The parties discussed the implementation of climate-resilient practices, water resource management, and improved irrigation. Following the meeting, it was decided to expand the glacier-creation experience to other areas of the region.
Meeting participants visited the Aina-Tash Gorge in the village of Sumbula, where they inspected the active glacier and assessed its water reserves. The technology for creating artificial glaciers allows for the accumulation of water in winter for irrigation of fields during the dry spring and summer.
By the end of the winter, the region's glaciers had accumulated over 1.5 million cubic meters of water.
The project, implemented with the support of international partners, helps provide farmers with a stable irrigation system and promotes economic development in the face of climate change.