Reviving the Little Aral Sea: Transforming a Desert into an Oasis

In the heart of Central Asia, the Aral Sea was once an aquatic colossus, an inland sea nourished by the tumultuous waters of the Amu Darya and the Syr Darya. But this jewel has withered away, the victim of ambitious but disastrous human choices. If most of its extent is today an arid desert, a discreet miracle attracts attention: the small Aral Sea, the northern part of the ancient basin, shows signs of rebirth. Colossal dikes, fish returning from a submerged past, and once-abandoned villages are coming back to life in a region where everything seemed lost.

The heyday and decline of the Aral Sea

The Aral Sea, once the fourth largest lake in the world, covered approximately 68,000 km². Fed by the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers, it constituted an ecological and economic pillar for the region. This enclosed sea teemed with aquatic life, and its shores were home to dozens of thriving fishing villages.

However, in the 1960s, the Soviet Union launched massive irrigation projects intended to transform arid steppes into agricultural land. The waters of the sea's two main tributaries were diverted to fuel intensive crops of cotton and wheat. This strategic choice, motivated by a short-term productivity vision, triggered a process of irreversible drying up.

In a few decades, the sea lost 90% of its volume, as France Info points out. Its banks receded several tens of kilometers, leaving behind the carcasses of rusting ships stranded on salt plains. Winds swept across the ancient seabed, scattering particles of salt and pesticides thousands of kilometers, depriving local communities of their livelihoods. These toxic storms exacerbated public health problems throughout the region, causing respiratory illnesses and major environmental disruptions.

Initiatives to save the Little Aral Sea

In this context of disaster, Kazakhstan took a bold decision. He decided to save the northern part of the Aral Sea, called the Little Aral Sea. In 2008, the country, with the support of the World Bank, began a major project. This involved building the Kokaral dyke, an impressive structure 13 kilometers long and 4 meters high.

This dike was intended to separate the northern part, still supplied by the Syr Darya, from the abandoned southern part. By concentrating the remaining water flows, it helped stabilize the level of the small sea. At the same time, it also helped reduce salinity. Additional efforts have been undertaken. They aimed to strengthen the banks and improve water management in the region.

Furthermore, reforestation programs have emerged. Their goal was to slow soil erosion and contain dust storms. The authorities encouraged residents of neighboring villages, who had often left, to return. They have notably launched economic initiatives to revive fishing.

Results and prospects

The results of Kazakh efforts exceed initial expectations. The water volume of the Little Aral Sea has increased by 42% since work began, and its salinity has dropped dramatically. These changes have allowed aquatic life to recover: around twenty species of fish, previously extinct, have recolonized the waters.

This ecological renaissance has revitalized fishing activity, a crucial source of income for local residents. Today, tons of fish are caught each year, exported to other regions or sold in local markets.
However, this success should not overshadow the persistent challenges. The southern part of the Aral Sea, separated from the Small Sea by the embankment, remains a salt desert. The ancient sea plains cover 60,000 square kilometers, making up one of the largest sources of dust in the world. This dust, rich in salt and chemical residues, continues to pollute the surrounding air and soil, affecting the health of local populations and neighboring regions.

Furthermore, global warming poses a constant threat. Glaciers in the surrounding mountains, which feed the Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers, are melting rapidly as a result of warming. Ultimately, this accelerated melting reduces the quantity of water available for these rivers, compromising the necessary supply to the sea. If these trends continue, the progress made could be reversed. To preserve this fragile balance, strict water management and regional cooperation are essential.