Near the spring grows an ancient chinar tree, which testifies to the times long past when water flowed here without interruption. Many legends and tales are associated with this place.
This spring served as the main source of drinking and irrigation water for the entire village. Fifteen years ago, agriculture thrived here, but over the last decade, the volume of water has significantly decreased, and farmers have been forced to switch exclusively to tree planting, leaving arable land unattended.
Abdillakim Abdurayimov, a resident of the neighboring village of Kara-Bulak, is concerned about the state of his 1-hectare and 30-sotka plot, where he has long been unable to harvest. "In my youth, even in the hollow leading to the pasture of Kykh, water flowed like from a spring. That spring also supplied water to our area, and at that time, there was no shortage of water. We engaged in agriculture and lacked nothing. We grew potatoes, onions, and carrots, which provided us with vegetables for the entire winter," he shares. Previously, tobacco was also grown here, which requires a significant amount of water. With the increase in population, the volume of water has decreased.
"Over the past 15 years, the water has dried up, and we have stopped sowing the fields. The harvest of apples and other crops has become minimal, and the fruits from the trees no longer delight us with their quality. Irrigation once every 45 days is the reality we have to face. The orchards have been left unattended, and the lack of feed raises concerns for livestock," he adds. Previously, small plots could provide enough feed for the entire winter, but now the grass only grows a few centimeters.
The only way to obtain water now is to drill wells. Local authorities have only visited once and promised to help, but that was the end of their assistance. Frequent changes in leadership also complicate the resolution of the problem: each time, it is necessary to explain the situation anew to the new management. We have another source — Kara-Suu, from where we take water, but if it also dries up, we will be left without water. This source is already low on water, and it is supplied on a schedule. Sometimes it also stops flowing, and then residents are forced to carry water manually. Many have containers for storing water, while some buy water that is delivered in large tanks. In these conditions, some engage in livestock farming, while others work in cities where they have managed to build themselves housing," Abdillakim recounts.
Another local resident, Bekbol Bakyt uulu, who has just started planting seedlings, is also worried about the lack of water for them. "I didn't even know that the spring had dried up; I just bought seedlings. This news upset me greatly, as the spring was the main source of water for Kara-Bulak. Elders say that our village was founded even before Batken," he says.
Every year, the situation worsens. Last year, the glaciers on the mountains of Kara-Bulak completely disappeared. On the pasture of Chirikti, where many livestock used to graze, there is also no water left, and by mid-summer, people had to bring their animals down from the pastures. At this time of year, the spring should have at least flowed a little, but now it has completely dried up. If the water disappears, all the trees in the village will wither, and life will become unbearable. Only Kara-Suu will remain. The need to drill the ground and find new sources is becoming increasingly urgent," Bekbol summarizes.
