after shrinking image of aral sea
The Aral Sea, once the fourth largest lake in the world, is now a shadow of its former self. What was once a vast and vibrant ecosystem, home to diverse wildlife and thriving communities, has become a barren and toxic wasteland. How did this happen, and what are the consequences for the region and the planet?
The Cause: Irrigation Projects Gone Wrong
The main cause of the Aral Sea’s demise is the diversion of its main sources of inflowing water, the Syr Darya and the Amu Darya rivers, for irrigation purposes. Starting in the 1960s, the Soviet Union undertook a massive project to transform the arid plains of Central Asia into farmlands for cotton and other crops. To do this, they built a network of canals, dams, and reservoirs that diverted most of the water from the rivers to the fields, leaving little for the lake.
As a result, the Aral Sea began to shrink rapidly, losing more than 90% of its water volume and 75% of its surface area by the early 21st century. The lake split into two smaller parts, the North Aral Sea and the South Aral Sea, which further fragmented into smaller basins. The water level dropped so much that several islands in the lake became exposed, including the former Soviet biological weapons testing site of Vozrozhdeniya Island.
The Consequences: Ecological and Humanitarian Crisis
The shrinking of the Aral Sea has had devastating effects on the environment and the people of the region. Some of the major impacts are:
Loss of biodiversity: The Aral Sea was once home to more than 100 species of fish and a rich variety of birds, mammals, and plants. As the water receded, the salinity and pollution increased, killing most of the aquatic life and driving away the wildlife. Only a few hardy species, such as brine shrimp, have survived in the harsh conditions. The loss of the lake’s fishery has also deprived the local people of a major source of food and income.
Climate change: The Aral Sea used to have a moderating influence on the climate of the region, creating a humid and temperate microclimate. Without the lake, the winters have become colder and the summers hotter and drier. The lack of moisture has also reduced the rainfall and increased the frequency of droughts and dust storms. The dust from the exposed lakebed, contaminated with salt, pesticides, and heavy metals, has become a health hazard, causing respiratory and skin problems, as well as spreading diseases.
Social and economic problems: The shrinking of the Aral Sea has also affected the quality of life and the livelihoods of the people living around it. The water shortage has reduced the agricultural productivity and increased the soil salinity and erosion. The lack of clean water has also led to the spread of diseases such as typhoid, hepatitis, and tuberculosis. The deterioration of the environment and the economy has forced many people to migrate to other areas, creating social and political instability.
The Solutions: Attempts to Restore the Lake
Despite the bleak situation, there have been some efforts to save the Aral Sea and mitigate its impacts. Some of the notable initiatives are:
The Kok-Aral Dam: In 2005, Kazakhstan completed the construction of a dam that separated the North Aral Sea from the South Aral Sea, preventing the water from flowing out of the northern part. The dam has helped to raise the water level and reduce the salinity of the North Aral Sea, allowing some fish species to return and improving the local climate and economy.
The International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea: Established in 1993, this fund is a regional organization that aims to coordinate the efforts of the five Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) to address the Aral Sea crisis. The fund has supported various projects, such as improving water management, restoring wetlands, and providing humanitarian aid.
The Aral Sea Basin Program: Launched in 1994, this program is a joint initiative of the World Bank, the United Nations, and other international donors to assist the Central Asian countries in developing and implementing a long-term plan for the sustainable development of the Aral Sea basin. The program has focused on improving water efficiency, diversifying crops, rehabilitating infrastructure, and enhancing regional cooperation.
The Future: A Hope for Recovery?
The Aral Sea is unlikely to ever return to its original size and glory, but there is still some hope for its partial recovery and the improvement of the situation in the region. The success of the Kok-Aral Dam has shown that it is possible to restore some of the lake’s ecological and economic functions, and there are plans to build more dams and canals to increase the water inflow to the lake. The international community has also shown interest and support for the efforts of the Central Asian countries to address the Aral Sea crisis and its underlying causes.
However, there are also many challenges and obstacles that hinder the progress of the restoration efforts. Some of the major ones are:
Lack of political will and cooperation: The Central Asian countries have different and sometimes conflicting interests and priorities regarding the use and management of the water resources in the region. There is also a lack of trust and coordination among them, as well as between them and the international donors and organizations.
Lack of financial and technical resources: The restoration of the Aral Sea and the development of the region require a large amount of funding and expertise, which the Central Asian countries do not have. They also face other pressing issues, such as poverty, corruption, and security, that compete for their attention and resources.
Lack of public awareness and participation: The people of the region, especially the younger generations, are not well informed and involved in the decision-making and implementation of the restoration projects. They also lack the education and skills to adapt to the changing environment and economy.
The Aral Sea is a tragic example of****how human activities can have disastrous consequences for the environment and the society. It is also a reminder of how important it is to protect and conserve our natural resources and to use them wisely and sustainably. The fate of the Aral Sea and the people of the region depends on the actions and choices of the present and the future generations. Let us hope that they will learn from the past mistakes and work together to save the Aral Sea and its legacy.