Are you aware of the Aral Sea Crisis? Another man-made disaster by the Russians.
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
Replies to: Are you aware of the Aral Sea Crisis? Another man-made disaster by the Russians.
Saw that last night on Science Channel
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Vozrozhdeniya Island - secret Soviet bioweapons testing spot in the Aral Sea, no longer an island
Part of the astounding ecological catastrophe that the Soviets left behind.
Chernobyl, Aral Sea, Arctic Oil Drilling, Whale hunting to extinction....you see the trend with the
Russians.
Not quite accurate
Nikita in the ever wisdom of a centrally planned economy actually randomly decided that they Kazakhstan should start growing cotton because...well because that was the random thought in his head in the late 50's. It was in theory supposed to boost the economy as well as help provide the USSR with consumer goods which were lacking. Of course, cotton needs a lot of water, and they had trouble finding it, which led draining the Aral Sea.
It began receding in the 60's but diversion began in late 50's. Cotton was 4 gunpowder & uniforms..
...ie the military.
Link: http://www.ipsnews.net/2011/11/kazakhstan-sea-reclaimed-as-lake/