UCA and Badakhshan Craftsmen Association Forge Strategic Partnership to Champion Culture and Community Development

In a major step forward for regional agricultural resilience, the University of Central Asia (UCA), in collaboration with the Khorog Mayor’s Office and the Dasht community, has completed a vital phase of the Dasht Irrigation Pipeline Project. The initiative restores a crucial section of the canal system, now delivering water to more than 164 households and UCA’s own agricultural land.

In a strong demonstration of collective action, more than 150 local residents participated in three community-led volunteer workdays (subbotniks) to clear overgrowth, level terrain, and transport the new piping to the site. A fourth community event marked the final installation and successful release of water. The pipes were connected on site using glue machinery and a generator arranged by local residents, with additional protective measures implemented to guard against landslides and rockfall.

With this critical section now fully operational, water is once again flowing through the restored channel. The improved irrigation system significantly reduces water loss, enhances agricultural productivity, and decreases reliance on costly, energy-intensive water alternatives. The restoration marks a pivotal improvement for both the Dasht community and the wider Khorog area, which depend on this shared irrigation infrastructure.

By addressing a pressing agricultural need with practical, scalable solutions, this project reinforces UCA’s dedication to environmental stewardship, and contributing to long-term economic resilience across the region.