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Karimov A.I. faculty of natural sciences geography Kokand State Pedagogical Institute named after Muqimi
NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES OF THE ARAL SEA FOR CENTRAL ASIA
Annotation: Significant changes are taking place on the planet today as a result of human activities. In particular, climate change and various natural disasters are felt in all latitudes of the planet. As a result, forested areas are shrinking, polluting the atmosphere, water and lithosphere. Changes in the state of the natural environment under the influence of man, strong anthropogenic impact on living and non-living components cause local, regional and global environmental problems. In particular, similar effects have led to the "Aral Sea problem", which is considered the most dangerous point of the ecological crisis in the region.
Keywords: Lake Victoria, Eurasian continent, coastline, morphological structure, sandy, bays, islands, Aral Sea problem.
The Aral Sea is the largest closed salt lake in Central Asia. Administratively, more than half of the Aral Sea is located in the south-western part of Uzbekistan (Karakalpakstan), and the northeastern part in the territory of Kazakhstan. Until the 1960s, the Aral Sea area averaged 68,000 km2. It was the fourth largest in the world (after the Caspian Sea, the Upper Lake in America, and Lake Victoria in Africa), and the second largest in the Eurasian continent (after the Caspian Sea). The sea stretches from northeast to southwest. 428 km, the widest point being 235 km (45 ° east). The basin covers an area of 690,000 km2 and has an average water depth of 1,000 km2. It fluctuated around 16.5 m. It is called the sea because of the size of the basin. The Aral Sea was formed in the Upper Pliocene in the basin of the Earth's crust. The relief of the bottom (excluding the western part) is flat. There were many peninsulas and bays in the Aral Sea. The largest bays on the northern shores are Chernyshev, Paskevich, Sarichiganak, Perovsky, on the south-eastern and eastern coasts Tushbas, Ashshibas, Aqsaga, Suluv and others, at the confluence of the Amudarya and Syrdarya rivers Ajiboy, Tollik, Jiltirbas and Jiltirbas. Since ancient times, the water level in the Aral Sea has risen and fallen. In the following geological period, the Aral Sea flowed into the Caspian Sea from time to time through Sariqamish and Uzboy, the water level was much higher, and several thousand km2 of coastline in the south and southeast were flooded. The Aral Sea is not very deep. The deep areas are in the western part. Karakalpakstan is located near Ustyurt. Reached 69 m.
The shallows of the lake corresponded to its southern, southeastern and eastern parts.
The morphological structure of the shores of the Aral Sea is very complex. They differ from each other in some features. The northern coast is high, in some places low, with deep bays. The east coast is low; sandy, with many small bays and islands. The south coast is formed by the Amudarya delta.
At the same time, the Aral Sea is almost dry, and as a result of this tragedy, the ecological situation has deteriorated, especially in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. In recent years, environmental problems have increased in the region, which is facing water shortages. It is said that this situation requires coordinated cooperation from the region. Ak Velsapar, a Turkmen writer living in political exile, has made a number of speeches on the Aral Sea issue. According to him, it is hoped that the presidents of the region will gather for a summit on the forgotten Aral Sea tragedy, but this does not mean that the activities of the fund will increase.
"Elimination of the consequences of the island remains a major problem for the neighboring states," he said. As a writer and journalist, I am well aware of the situation in the Aral Sea, or rather its remains. As for the activities of the Aral Fund, I do not remember that its member states cooperated in a specific assistance to improve the situation. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have taken some measures against the Aral Sea problem. However, no other member states of Turkmenistan, Tajikistan or Kyrgyzstan have taken action. Perhaps they should be thanked for their timely decision to establish this fund, but not only Central Asia, but also the world's largest lake needed help, concrete measures to preserve this reserve. Of course, it should be taken into account that the Aral Sea problem has affected Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan in the first place, "he said.
Today, the resilience of the Aral Sea is very difficult to assess, and water scarcity has become a major problem for the countries and peoples of the region. The summit in Turkmenistan is also expected to discuss the situation with water upstream and downstream countries, rather than saving the Aral Sea.
According to Ak Velsapar, it is difficult to make a shift not only in ecology and water use, but also in the overall regional situation without realizing that the five Central Asian republics are in a single region. "The five countries must respect each other's interests in a single, unified region," he said. Large rivers such as the Amudarya and the Syrdarya are the common wealth of this region. The condition of the Aral Sea still depends on how the water of these rivers is used. The tragedy of the Aral Sea was caused by the cruel use of water from these rivers. This is one of the most devastating legacies the Soviet Union left to the region. Today there is no USSR, and the problem should be solved by the countries of the region. If it is not possible to fill the Aral Sea, at least it is necessary to maintain the sea level by saving water,"said writer Ak Velsapar.
The following information proves our point. Over the last 40-45 years, the Aral Sea level has dropped by 22 meters, the water area has decreased more than
4 times, the water volume has decreased by 10 times (from 1064 cubic km to 70 cubic km), the salt content is up to 112 g / l, and in the eastern part of the Aral Sea. Reached 280 g / l. The Aral Sea has become an almost "dead" sea, with a dry bottom of 4.2 million hectares and a source of dust, sand and salt aerosols in adjacent areas, where 80 to 100 million tons of dust are released into the atmosphere each year. At the same time, land degradation and desertification are increasing in the deltas of the Amudarya and Syrdarya.
The Aral Sea tragedy aggravated the region's climate, exacerbating drought and heat in the summer and prolonging the bitter cold in the winter, as well as a number of economic and social problems. In particular, transport, fisheries, livestock and fisheries, and other traditional activities have collapsed, leaving hundreds of thousands unemployed. As a result, ecological migration processes have intensified.
It is no secret that the Aral Sea tragedy poses a serious threat to the health of the region's population. This is evidenced by the increase in anemia, kidney, liver, gastrointestinal, respiratory, oncological, cardiovascular and other diseases.
It has been almost half a century since the Aral Sea problem became more global, affecting the biosphere, living conditions and gene pool. So far, however, the world community has done little to address the Aral Sea tragedy, mitigate its negative effects, and ensure environmental sustainability in the region. It was the political will of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev that drew the world's attention to this issue and the resolution we are talking about was adopted with pleasure.
Speaking about the solution to the Aral Sea problem, it should be noted that the Committee on Development of the Aral Sea Region was established in the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan at the initiative of the President. This initiative plays an important role in the complex socioeconomic development of the Republic of Karakalpakstan.
The Resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated November 11, 2020 "On measures for integrated socio-economic development of the Republic of Karakalpakstan in 2020-2023" further strengthened the work in this direction. In particular, in order to create favorable conditions for the implementation of these projects, the decision exempted business entities from land and property taxes and provided them with a number of other benefits and privileges.
In conclusion, There are three main directions in solving the problem of the Aral Sea and the Aral Sea Basin: first, to improve the sanitary and epidemiological situation in the region through the supply of drinking water to the population through pipelines, as well as the use of fresh groundwater. The need for a sharp increase in the level of health and sanitation was stressed; secondly, to build an "artificial belt" on the dried southern shores of the sea and to create a "green belt" by constantly irrigating the delta ecosystem; thirdly, to keep the sea self-sufficient. In addition, experts noted that the construction of
saxophones on the dried bottom of the Aral Sea will prevent the movement of sand and dust.
Preserving our nature, protecting it, using nature wisely and developing ecological culture and ecological consciousness in society is not only the work of nature protection bodies, but also the childhood duty of every person living on this land to our Motherland and its nature.
References:
1. www.uzjoku.uz
2. www.uwed.uz
3. library.ziyonet.uz
