This page provides a preliminary summary on the following items for Turkmenistan:

1. Spatial Planning
 

1.1 Legislation and Regulations

1.2 Administrative Competencies

The national government consisting of the President, Cabinet of Ministers and Parliament (Medjlis) is responsible for issuing laws. The Administration – 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

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 Procurator’s 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

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 country’s 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:

6. National Achievements in the Field of ICZM
 

References