Environment minister says Moldova to reduce Dniester’s flow, to conserve water reserves

Moldova will reduce the water flow of the Dniester River, based on a decision adopted through the Dniester Commission, in order to ensure the necessary supply of drinking water and maintain ecosystems, as well as to conserve water reserves until they are replenished during the autumn rains. Environment Minister Gheorghe Hajder today made statements to this effect after the government meeting.

According to the minister, the measure aims to manage water reserves under conditions in which they are expected to be replenished during the high-water period brought by the autumn rains.

“Until the high-water period, meaning the autumn rains, and until the reserves are replenished, a decision was made through the Dniester Commission to reduce the flow so that, on the one hand, we can ensure the necessary supply of drinking water and water for the ecosystems along the Dniester, while, on the other hand, conserving as much of that water reserve as possible,” Gheorghe Hajder said.

Referring to long-term solutions for preventing similar situations, the environment minister emphasized the need to use water resources more rationally and to adapt consumption to new realities.

“First of all, the solution is a general one, which has been discussed more times, including on the government’s platform. We need to be much more rational in our water consumption and adapt our consumption to new realities. We are talking about industrial consumption and irrigation, where we need to shift to much more efficient ways. Accordingly, this is the solution until conditions are restored,” the minister said.

Gheorghe Hajder said that, in the long term, reforestation measures and water conservation in reservoirs and on public land of Moldova are necessary.

“Clearly, when we talk about the long term, we are talking about reforestation and water conservation, both in reservoirs and on public land in Moldova, so that we can collect water when it is available and use it later,” the official explained.

During discussions following the government meeting, the environment minister was also asked about the possibility of creating an independent authority responsible for investigating cases of cruelty and protecting animals.

Gheorghe Hajder said there is an intention to identify an authority responsible for animals’ protection, but the solution will be established through consultations among the ministries and institutions involved.

“An authority responsible for animals’ protection is something I believe is good and will certainly be established, but the best solution needs to be identified, because more ministries and authorities are involved. We need a solution that has been consulted on and addresses all requests,” the minister said.

Referring to the need for measures to prevent animals’ abuse and for clearer regulations in the field, Hajder emphasized that the issue must be analyzed in detail and that interventions should not be limited solely to imposing penalties.

“This matter needs to be consulted on, the specific problem needs to be identified, and action certainly needs to be taken—not only through penalties, but also through regulations that clearly establish how animals’ rights must be respected and what happens when those rights are not respected,” Gheorghe Hajder stated.

The minister added that developing and improving public policies was a natural process, and that solutions to the identified problems would be found according to the needs.