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Let's Save the Small Rivers of the Caspian Sea.

 

Rafig Verdiyev  

ECORES Local NGO 

 

While the environmental problems of the Caspian region are becoming well-publicized, much work remains to be 

done in identifying the exact sources of pollution and cleaning them up.   One new NGO publication seeks to provide 

concrete “how-to” information for environmental activists and organizations involved in this issue. 

 

With funding from ISAR's Caspian Program, The Azerbaijan National Committee for the International Hydrological 

Program of UNESCO (Azerbaijan) and the Russian NGO Russian Forest have worked together to develop a project 

entitled “Let's Save the Small Rivers of the Caspian Sea.” The project aims to provide basic instruction to 

environmental activists interested in this topic.    

 

Included here is an outline of the topics covered in these instructions for environmental activists.  These instructions 

are intended for activists and public organizations interested in finding solutions for the ecological problems of the 

small rivers of the Caspian and consist of the following sections: 

 

1.          Small rivers and their problems. 

1.1        Information about small rivers. 

1.2        Ecological problems of small rivers. 

2.          Methods for Rational Usage of the Water     Resources of Small Rivers. 

3.          Forms of Organizations to Monitor Sources of  Pollution of Small Rivers. 

4.          Surveying the Population to Obtain Additional Information About Pollutants  Flowing into Small Rivers. 

5.          Simple Methods of Determining Water Quality and Existing Standards. 

5.1        Methods of Determining Water Quality Standards. 

5.2        Water Quality Norms. 

6.          Work with Potential Polluters to Prevent the Pollution of Small Rivers. 

7.          Methods of Disseminating Information about the Ecological Condition of Small Rivers. 

8.          Juridical Instructions for Protecting the Surrounding Environment. (Water Resources). 

8.1        Important Documents Related to Environmental Protection. 

8.2        Corresponding International Conventions. 

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8.3        The Role of the Community in the Process of Protecting the Environment.  

9.          Concise Dictionary of Quantitative and Qualitative Components of River Waters. 

10.        Literary  Sources.  

 

The instructions also include information about existing international and regional standards of water quality. 

 

The participating organizations have also organized a number of expeditions to small rivers for monitoring the 

ecological situation. The information collected as a result of these activities will also be  included in the final 

instructions. 

 

The instructions will be published as a brochure and distributed to environmental activists and ecological NGOs.  

The instructions will also be explained in upcoming seminars and in the media.  In addition, with the support of donor 

organizations, the creation of an Internet site concerning the monitoring of water resources is planned.