Astana, (TDI): Kazakhstan’s efforts to rejuvenate the North Aral Sea received a significant boost as Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov announced that 1.9 billion cubic meters of water have been channeled into the sea since the start of 2024, raising its volume to 22 billion cubic meters.
This statement was made during the inaugural meeting of the Board of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS), which was attended by delegations from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan as an observer country.
Established in 1993, the IFAS aims to unite the efforts of participating nations to combat the severe environmental degradation caused by the Aral Sea’s desertification and its impact on local populations.
The meeting centered on two major initiatives: a comprehensive program to support the Aral Sea basin countries and a Regional Environmental Protection Program for Sustainable Development in Central Asia.
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It focuses on promoting green economic principles and adapting to climate change.
Kazakhstan’s Dedication Commended
Participants commended Kazakhstan’s dedication to collaborating closely with its Central Asian neighbors in safeguarding the Aral Sea.
The board approved the IFAS’s work plans under the leadership of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for the 2024-2026 period.
Highlighting the progress made, Nurzhigitov noted that during this year’s peak irrigation season, up to 80 cubic meters of water per second flowed into the sea via the Syr Darya River, a substantial increase from just six cubic meters per second last year.
While the North Aral Sea’s water levels had been declining in recent years, we have witnessed a resurgence since the beginning of 2024, he added.
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To further boost these levels, we are enhancing our water diplomacy and advancing the second phase of the North Aral Sea conservation project, Nurzhigitov maintained.
The North Aral Sea, fed by the Syr Darya River, separated from the South Aral Sea in the late 1980s due to significant water diversion for agricultural use.
According to the Kazakh Ministry of Water Resources, the Syr Darya River’s flow is comprised of 75% from Kyrgyzstan, 20% from Uzbekistan, and 5% from Kazakhstan.
