Lessons on cooperation building to manage water conflicts in the Aral Sea Basin; Technical documents in hydrology: pc-cp series; Vol.: 11; 2003

2.5.3. Information System 
Extensive work done under the supervision of the EU in the WARMAP Program made it 
possible to create an information system, though only at the regional level. This 
includes the WARMIS database combined with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 
and remote sensing data. Information systems for land and water are to be 
completed, tested, and prepared for use by the ICWC, IFAS, BWOs, and all water 
related organizations (mostly on the national and provincial levels). This work is 
important for socioeconomic and ecological development, more detailed development 
of water and land use, and analysis of river water losses. GIS has been developed by 
the SIC of the ICWC and Hydromet Services, but has not been made available for 
general use by BWOs and national organizations. 
At the moment, the major task is information service creation and development 
at the provincial, irrigation system, and WUA levels on principles similar to the 
regional system, which will form a common database based on the pyramid principle 
with “information grids.” Such development has now started for the Fergana valley, 
with financial support from the SDC. We expect the participation of other donors in 
this direction, which should increase regional collaboration. 
2.5.4. The Base of Knowledge 
The base of knowledge includes databases in combination with the tools for 
experience dissemination through the International Network of Research in Irrigation 
and Drainage (IPTRID) and INFO-net (the informational network of the Global Water 
partnership) as well as periodic publications, bulletins, press-releases, and scientific 
research collections. A knowledge network and information exchange system already 
functions within the region among the five states, and between the region and various 
world information centers including ILRI, USBR, Cemagref, Wallingford, ICID, and 
FAO. Various bulletins and periodical collections are issued to help water specialists 
acquaint themselves with modern worldwide methods of water resource and irrigation 
management. 
Actual knowledge dissemination is inadequate. The focus should be put upon 
knowledge and information network development at the level of province, system, and 
WUA. A systematic base of knowledge creation is being started by the SIC of the 
ICWC, UNESCO’s Scientific advisory group for the Aral Sea Basin (SABAS), and other 
organizations, national experts, and commissions on irrigation and drainage 
involvement. This will make it possible to create a practical knowledge base in the 
short term. This should lay the foundation for extension services, whose success 
depends on communication.