Back to notes
Discuss the socio-economic obstacle in restoring the Aral Sea.
Press to flip
The cotton industry’s importance in the region impedes restoration efforts.
What was the primary aim of the Soviet Union's Great Plan for Transformation of Nature initiated in 1948?
To divert major rivers for cotton irrigation and make cotton a major export.
What were the key geographical and climatic features of the Aral Sea region?
Desert continental climate with hot summers, cold winters, and sparse rainfall (4 inches/year).
What Central Asian saying reflects the harsh reality of the Aral Sea crisis?
"Where there is no water, there is no life."
Why has Uzbekistan struggled to contribute to the restoration of the Aral Sea?
Due to its heavy reliance on the cotton industry which requires extensive water resources.
What is the current status of the Eastern basin of the South Aral Sea as of 2015?
Completely dried up.
Which two rivers were the main sources of the Aral Sea's water?
Sir Darya (Kazakhstan) and Amu Darya (Uzbekistan)
What were the environmental effects of the pesticides and fertilizers used in the Aral Sea region?
They polluted the shrinking sea, causing further ecological damage.
What did the dust storms carry that affected local inhabitants and agriculture?
Salt and chemicals, including pesticides and fertilizers.
Describe the significance of Vozrozhdeniya Island in the context of the Aral Sea crisis.
It was a Soviet bioweapons facility where outbreaks of diseases like smallpox, plague, and typhus occurred.
What ecological and economic consequences did the Aral Sea face due to water diversion for cotton irrigation?
The water level dropped by 50 feet, increased salinity killed fauna, and the fishing industry collapsed.
How did poor-quality irrigation canals contribute to the Aral Sea's decline?
Water leaked or evaporated, leading to inefficiency.
What ecological measures were taken by Kazakhstan to partially recover the North Aral Sea?
Dike construction which led to partial recovery and revival of the fishing industry.
How did regional governments' actions after the USSR's dissolution affect the Aral Sea?
They failed to coordinate effectively, leading to further water depletion.
What was the Aral Sea's global ranking in size in the 1960s?
4th largest lake in the world (68,000 sq km)
Previous
Next