The Disappearance Of The Aral Sea

The Aral Sea in the north and Karakalpakstan, an autonomous region of Uzbekistan, in the south. The name roughly translates as "Sea of Islands", referring to more than 1,500 islands that once dotted its waters.

Formerly one of the four largest lakes  of the world with an area of 68,000 square kilometres (26,000 sq mi), the Aral Sea has been steadily shrinking since the 1960s after the rivers that fed it were diverted by Soviet Union irrigation projects. By 2007 it had declined to 10% of its original size, splitting into three lakes – the North Aral Sea and the eastern and western basins of the once far larger South Aral Sea. By 2009, the south-eastern lake had disappeared and the south-western lake retreated to a thin strip at the extreme west of the former southern sea.The maximum depth of the North Aral Sea is 42 metres (138 ft) (as of 2008).

The South Aral Sea, which lies in poorer Uzbekistan, was largely abandoned to its fate. Projects in the North Aral at first seemed to bring glimmers of hope to the South as well: "In addition to restoring water levels in the Northern Sea, a sluice in the dike is periodically opened, allowing excess water to flow into the largely dried-up Southern Aral Sea." Discussions had been held on recreating a channel between the somewhat improved North and the desiccated South, along with uncertain wetland restoration plans throughout the region, but political will is lacking.Uzbekistan shows no interest in abandoning the Amu Darya river as an abundant source of cotton irrigation, and instead is moving toward oil exploration in the drying South Aral seabed. Attempts to mitigate the effects of desertification include planting vegetation in the newly exposed seabed.Half a century ago, the Aral Sea, or as it is respectfully referred to, The Aral Sea was the fourth largest inland body of water - salt lake, with a wealth of flora and fauna, which made it possible to build are fish processing plants, ports, workers' settlements, providing local residents work. Today they are all empty as unnecessary: the sea was gone, leaving their ships. Shallowing of the lake caused an increase in salt content - many species of game fish simply died. The Aral Sea could be saved. And it does not matter which way it can be done. There was a project of changing the direction of Siberian rivers: it was assumed that water Obi can restore the volume of water in a dried sea. However, this project is and is not carried out since the Soviet era and are now perceived as a fantasy, is hardly feasible. However, the third attempt to build Kokaral dam (the first two were destroyed) gradually returns hope to people living here: the water level of the Small Aral Sea is rising slowly, and increases the amount of fish that lives here. But will return if the Aral to its shores? Maybe.