Astana (TDI): Kazakhstan has announced plans to allocate an additional 1.6 billion cubic meters of water to the Aral Sea by April 2025 as part of ongoing efforts to restore the critically endangered water body.
The announcement was made by Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, who highlighted the nation’s commitment to addressing the region’s water challenges.
The initiative follows substantial efforts between October 2023 and April 2024, during which 1.3 billion cubic meters of water were diverted to the Northern Aral Sea, bringing its total water volume to 22 billion cubic meters as of early 2024.
Minister Nurzhigitov underscored the importance of adopting water-saving technologies to achieve a sustainable water balance in the region.
In 2024, farmers in the Kyzylorda region conserved 200 million cubic meters of water, enabling increased flow into the sea.
During the 2024 irrigation season, these measures facilitated the release of 1 billion cubic meters into the Northern Aral—three times more than the previous year.
Preservation of Aral Sea National Priority for Kazakhstan
The preservation of the Aral Sea remains a national priority for Kazakhstan and is being addressed through regional cooperation and strategic water management.
At the 87th meeting of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination of Central Asia (ICWC) in Turkmenistan, Central Asian nations agreed to channel 11 billion cubic meters of water to Kazakhstan’s Shardara reservoir by April 2025.
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This measure is expected to secure adequate irrigation for southern-Kazakhstan during the 2025 growing season.
The Aral Sea’s restoration has long been a symbol of regional cooperation, with Kazakhstan taking a leading role in ensuring sustainable water resource management for its revival.
