Comments on: New Aral Sea Map Followup

By: Ezra Ward

Ezra Ward — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:02:38 +0000

I did a paper for my English class on this subject. The most shocking thing is the once thriving fishing industry and the thriving towns along the former shore are nearly gone. Studies have shown the health of the people still living in the Basin are absolutely some of the sickest people in the World. One of the common things I found when researching was that the Canals, if lined, would allow much more water to flow into the Sea(From what I’ve read the only water that goes in now is when there are floods). The North Aral has improved, though, and fishermen are beginning to catch a few fish there. And, from an archeological source I found, the lake was actually lower some time in the middle ages. So there are a few glimmers of hope despite all that is happening.

By: Michael Hancock

Michael Hancock — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 13:33:04 +0000

You “don’t think” any cotton is growing in the area. Well, why not read the report I linked to then? They seem to have mentioned it, and they are certainly more trustworthy than me, right?
Seriously, OldschoolBoy, give me a break. I know the Aral Sea is a different animal from Balkhash, but if you think that water mismanagement isn’t a common theme in Central Asia than say that. I think it IS a common theme, and not because I clump all Central Asians together. Seriously – you’re attacking this post because “you don’t think cotton is growing there?” Fortunately, I don’t write on hunches.

By: Oldschool Boy

Oldschool Boy — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 09:02:16 +0000

Michael,

Please check your information. Cotton is not “main cash crop” in Ili river basin. I do not think there is any cotton growing in that area.
I general your intentions are good but your data management has to be improved. You just sweep over a huge region generalizing everything and without giving a reader an appreciation that you are talking about completely different watersheds and different countries.
I really hate when people in Central Asia or Russia talk about US. Americans, Mexicans, Canadians or Venesualians as of one entity.
Similarly, diferent lakes and rivers in Central Asia have different basins and economy aproach in Central Asian countries is different from one to another.
Remember, Devil is in details.

By: upyernoz

upyernoz — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:42:10 +0000

i wonder how much the fact that the aral sea straddles the border of two countries contributes to the problem. anytime you have a diminishing natural resource like this, especially one caused by the economic engine relied upon by the government, it’s very hard for the government to make policy decisions to deal with the problem. but it’s even harder when two different governments need to cooperate to do it.

By: jonathan p

jonathan p — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 01:54:54 +0000

I remember the tremendous waste of water that was epidemic in Uzb., especially in mundane things like leaving the tap running for long periods of time. It struck me that there was constantly water leaking somewhere in every building, along the streets, near parks, leaking out of fountains, at every bazaar, etc. Water would be running constantly in every single public bathroom. No one seemed to give it a thought and over time I began to ignore it as well. … Unfortunately, I picked up some of these water-wasting habits while I was there and I still have to concentrate on turning the water off while I’m shaving… (My mother would be horrified. Let’s hope she’s not a closet Registan reader…)