Chu-Talas water basin is one of the most densely populated regions in Central Asia. Water resources of Chu and Talas rivers, being transboundary between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, provide over 2,5 million people with water.

High population occupation in the region, specific of economic conditions in keeping agriculture, geographical location, heavy use of water resources have became the reason of appreciable deterioration of ecological situation and quality of water in Chu and Talas rivers. Besides there is a number of ecological, economic and social problems in the area which are connected with the issue of sharing and protection of water resources of these rivers. Thus, there?s a strong necessity for ecological rehabilitation of the water-security zone to adjust the problems of the common water use and protection of water resources of Chu and Talas rivers in the region.

Panning grant is directed to development of the project to improve ecological situation in the Chu-Talas water basin by means of establishment of water-security zones, their ecological rehabilitation and creation of mechanism for public participation in regulation of quality and quantity of water resources.

This planning grant 1)enhances the degree and the quality of community and stakeholder participation in the project design and development, 2) provides the grantee with access to relevant scientific and technical expertise to ensure that the project has a sound scientific and technical foundation, 3) provides access to technical assistance in sound project design and development