This country has demonstrated a complete lack of concern for the environment. This disaster occurred because in the 60’s the Soviets decided that they needed more cotton which is a critical component in the production of gun powder which they wanted in larger supply. They thus diverted the rivers into the Aral Dea which was at one time a beautiful destination with a healthy fishing industry and multiple towns.

It dried up to about a 1/3 of it’s previous huge expanse, and the dust and salt from it’s dried sea beds have been spread far and wide such that it ruined farming for hundreds of miles around it. The dust has also caused chronic respiratory problems for many in the population nearby.

There is hope with new dam projects to refill the sea, and there has been some progress, but unfortunately while Kazakhstan to the north is trying to fix it, Uzbekistan still wants the water for cotton and is not helping. The people in the region suffer greatly.


Link: http://www.columbia.edu/~tmt2120/introduction.htm