DUSHANBE, March 13, 2014, Asia-Plus -- According to Tajikistan Water Supply and Sanitation (TajWSS) Project, the members of the Network of Stakeholder Organizations on Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation hold a range of activities to mark the World Water Day 2014.

Today, representatives of the Student Environmental Club “VZOL” are reportedly cleaning a part of the “Govkhush” Canal in Dushanbe Campaign and carrying out analysis of the water quality in three water intakes of Dushanbe’s aqueduct.  The activities are coordinated by the Technical University of Tajikistan and “Dastgiri” Center (Foundation to Support Civil Initiatives) under support of Oxfam.

On March 14, representatives of the Student Environmental Club “VZOL” will carry out analysis of the water quality in drinking water supply systems in rural Tajikistan. The activities will be coordinated by the Technical University of Tajikistan and “Dastgiri” Center (Foundation to Support Civil Initiatives) under support of Oxfam.

 A special program dedicated to World Water Day celebration will be organized on Radio Vatan on March 22.  The program will provide information about World Water Day celebration globally and in Tajikistan with key figures on water related issues, such as access to piped drinking water, water borne diseases and sanitation. The results of the water quality analysis carried out on March 14 by the Student Environmental Club “VZOL” will be announced during this program.

A series of informational and educational activities aimed at raising awareness of primary school pupils in Roudaki and Muminobod districts are held from March 12 to April 4.  These activities include open classes on the need for rational use of water and personal hygiene, competition among schoolchildren for the best drawing, essay and handicrafts.   The most active pupils will be awarded with prizes and certificates. Activities will be led by Oxfam in collaboration with World Health Organization (WHO) in Tajikistan and the education departments of the Roudaki and Muminobod districts.

Similar water awareness activities will be conducted by Cesvi (Italian NGO) in Khovaling district.

Established on November 12, 2009, the Network of Stakeholder Organizations on Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation aims at bringing together all interested organizations, including government bodies of Tajikistan, international and local civil society organizations, private sector and media.

Today TajWSS Network provides a platform for more than 60 stakeholder organizations including Policymakers, Investors, Academics and Organizations of the Civic and International Societies. TajWSS supports the diverse stakeholders in rural drinking water to address sustainability and effectiveness of the Tajikistan rural WS&S sub-sector through sharing of best practices and implementation of innovative pilot projects. TajWSS Network brings the issue of developing rural water supply and sanitation to researchers and the results of researches to policymakers.

The International World Water Day has been observed on March 22 since 1993 to raise global attention on the importance of water and advocating for the sustainable management of our water resources.  Lots of events are organized worldwide on this day in order to increase people''s awareness of water''s importance in environment, agriculture, health, trade etc.