World which We Live in
Grant MEGI-TK01-04

Although the population of the Caspian coastal areas of Turkmenistan is very small in comparison with the coastal urban areas of Iran and Azerbaijan, the bio-varieties of this region are important and they consist of over 870 species. The socio-economic problems in the region and the prioritization of economic demands like employment, energy and housing has resulted in the ignorance of the long term ecological objectives. Children are one of the main target groups in any public awareness campaign, since it is possible to change their attitudes towards the environment at the early stages of their life. This is in contrast with the adults who have learned to use the natural resources without thinking about its consequences.

Conducting drawings and photography contests for children not only attracts the attention of the youths, but also has an impact on the grown ups who are keen to listen to the children and their demands. Therefore, the competitions were conducted and the winners were selected. Then, the competition materials were presented in a mobile exhibition in 4 populated areas of Turkmenbashi region and 8 locations in Turkmenbashi City. The awarded materials were shown in “Miras” program on Turkmen TV and were published in several local newspapers with the aid of Historical-Regional Museum and the Department of Culture of Turkmenbashi District. 

Project Budget: 7,530 USD  Total Grant: 2,800 USD

Caspian Biodiversity – Future Generation
Grant MEGI-TK10-04

Almost all of the local schools in the Caspian coasts of Turkmenistan lack laboratory instruments or educational materials for ecology classes. There is not enough governmental funding for environmental tours and activities and thus in a region where the local population is facing economic challenges, the environmental issues always take the back seat. Moreover, the ecological education is not a top priority in the general education curriculums and the teachers have to work very hard to attract the attention of the students towards these issues. On the positive side, students become interested in nature and its preservation, once they are introduced to the ecology and the world of animals.

With the aid of this project, a marine biology laboratory for studying various species including sturgeons in a local school of Turkmenbashi City was created. The laboratory was established in a renovated hall in a local school and the required equipment like computer, aquarium, scales, microscopes, thermometers, etc… were purchased. The collection of living creatures under the supervision of a taxidermist as well as the publication of a monthly newsletter on the major issues of the Caspian Sea like pollution, endangered species and fisheries for the school children were the other outcomes of this project. Currently, the laboratory facilities are being shared by the other local schools as well.

Project Budget: 4,417 USD  Total Grant: 3,000 USD

The Caspian Sea, an Invaluable Gift of Nature – Organizing a Journalist Contest on the Caspian Sea Ecology in the Balkan Newspaper
Grant MEGII-TK02-05

Any progress in the preservation and conservation of nature depends on the interest of the local population and the level of their awareness. In this respect, the mass media plays a very important role in terms of ecological education and attraction of the public to environmental issues. The Balkan Velayat Newspaper with 23 thousand circulations in Turkmenistan conducted a journalist competition on the ecological status of the Caspian coast of Turkmenistan in order to identify and analyze the basic sources of pollution caused by economic activities in the coastal areas. Amongst the received articles, ten articles were selected as winners. Topics were related to the Turkmenistan’s environmental policies, international projects, conservation of biological resources, desertification, socio-economic development, youth awareness, fisheries, and pollution.

The project was successful in improving the public awareness on the ecological issues of the Caspian Sea and over 80 thousand people received the related information in various towns and villages of the Balkan Valayat. Booklets and posters were published and writing materials, articles, essays, commentaries, sketches and reports were collected as part of the competition. The winning essays were published in the Balkan Newspaper and prizes were awarded. The publication of the articles promoted the Green Movement in Turkmenistan and strengthened the partnership between the mass media and state nature conservation and public ecological organizations.

Project Budget: 2,600 USD  Total Grant: 1,700 USD

The Song of the Caspian Sea
Grant MEGII-TK03-05

There is a global threat to the biological diversity. Biodiversity is defined as the number and variety of species of plant and animal life within a region. Since, all the living beings on this planet are interacting with each other; even the loss of one species could affect the balance of nature. All the scientists agree that the protection of biodiversity is highly important. Turkmenistan is one of the first countries to join the Convention on Biological Diversity in June 1999. However, a national environmental awareness campaign is needed in the country in order to familiarize the population with the objectives and importance of this convention. People must understand that we are sharing the same planet with other animals and our future depends on the well-being of each other. Thus, the perceptions of the local residents need to be altered through environmental awareness.

The Children were one of the main targets for this project because they play an important role in our society and can ensure the protection of biological diversity in the future. Some of the children and students of Turkmernbashi City were engaged in the preparation and performance of a theatrical play about the ecology of the Caspian Sea. The musical play was conducted in the Palace of Culture and Technology in Turkmenbashi for the children and by the children. It highlighted the ecological problems of the Caspian Sea in an interesting and easy to understand language for the children. Over 1,000 programme booklets were published and distributed amongst the 14 schools and kindergartens of Turkmenbashi. Before the performances, the photograph and drawing exhibition of another CEP project titled “World, in Which We Live” was held in the Palace of Culture. Seven performances with a total of 2,300 visitors were organized in Turkmenbashi.

Project Budget: 2,170 USD  Total Grant: 750 USD

“The green town” – by schoolchildren hands
Grant MEGIII-TK01-05

The Caspian coast of Turkmenistan unlike the Iranian part is dry and the destruction of forests and pastures into deserts is one of the main problems in this region. Every year the limited vegetation of the Turkmenistan coast is receding due to lack of fresh water, storms and dry winds. Therefore, planting trees is one of the top priorities for the ecologists and the government of Turkmenistan. Trees prevent the advancement of desertification, improve the local micro-climate, protect the soil, cleans the air, produce oxygen, provide parks, improve recreational activities, and create beautiful landscapes.

Raising the awareness of the local population about the environmental problems and the usefulness and benefits of the green plantations in towns and the coastal areas is highly important. Thus, a public awareness campaign was conducted through the lectures, meetings, and publication of posters for the children. A Public participation action was conducted. It was called “Green Town” and it trained the students to plant perennial trees in Khazar town. Close to 1,200 students took part in this initiative and the selection of seedlings and the actual plantation were supervised by a specialist. The Ministry of Nature Protection of Turkmenistan approved this project and the Administration of Khazar Town provided assistance and support in its implementation.

Project Budget: 3,850 USD  Total Grant: 2,750 USD

Ecology, me and the Caspian
Grant MEGIII-TK08-05

Although the environment has become a popular topic that we hear a lot about in the news, people of Turkmenistan are not well aware of its related issues. Most of the coastal residents are too busy coping with the socio-economic demands of everyday life and do not have enough spare time to read books or articles about the environment. However, they are very interested in sports and a sporting event is a good opportunity to disseminate information about the environment. This project is being conducted by a popular sports club whose members are diverse and include school children, students, civil servants and pensioners and have had past experience working with kids, various organizations, and foreign companies.

It is intended to increase the awareness of the local people about the environmental issues, including the use of alternative energies in this project. An environmental marathon from Gumdag, 40 km north of Balkanabad, to Essenguly, the south point of Turkmenistan coast will be conducted using two wind-boats and it will cover about 300 km of the road for 10 days. Almost all settlements on the south Caspian coast will be visited, including Gumdag, Bugdaily, Garadepe, Ekerem, Chekishlyar and Essenguly. At each stop, discussions with local youth and the general population on various environmental issues, such as the importance of alternative sources of energy will be conducted. All the participants are trained on the ecological issues like the flora and fauna of the Caspian region. They will discuss ways to improve the environmental status of the Turkmenistan coasts with the local residents.

Project Budget: 6,782 USD  Total Grant: 2,810 USD

Creation of exposition (exhibit) “Ecology of the Caspian of the Caspian Sea” in museums of local lore in the Balkan region
Grant MEGIV-TK01-06

The museums in Balkanabad City as well as Turkmenbashi and Khazar are popular visiting sites of Turkmenistan residents. Each year, more than 10,000 people visit these museums including 7,000 visitors in Balkanabad City. More than 70% of the visitors are children and youths. Also, they have considerable potential in providing environmental education to the general public. Currently, each of these museums has allocated a special section for ecology, where the fauna and flora from various locations in the Balkan region are collected and exhibited. Since, the majority of the visitors are children; museums are a desirable location for public awareness and environmental education.

The capabilities of three Caspian museums namely, the Balkan museum of history and two other museums in Turkmenbashi and Hazard towns are to be enhanced by exchanging and distributing environmental information. Also, expositions on the Caspian Sea environment in special sections of the museums are to be established. The museums will be equipped with internet connection and other modern information and communication technologies in order to facilitate the daily activities of the workers at the museums in the Caspian region.

Project Budget: 5,030 USD  Total Grant: 2,940 USD