Diversion of water sources has caused the Aral Sea in Central Asia to decline significantly over the past five decades. It has broken into several smaller seas, leaving behind a vast desert and a multitude of environmental, economic and social problems. Recent restorative action has produced a rebound in the fishing industry in what is now the North Aral Sea, possibly indicating a turn for the better, but it has come at the expense of the South Aral Sea which was starved of water flow when the Kok- Aral dam was constructed. Although the water levels of the Aral Sea may never return to pre-1960s levels, transboundary co-operation on the implementation of and compliance with conservation policies and activities provides some hope for the survival of the Aral Sea and security of livelihoods in the region.
United Nations Environment Programme
