Aral Sea Crisis and Water Management in Central Asia
Abstract
This article examines the different issues involved in saving the Aral Sea, viewing them in their unity and interconnections. The causes of the Aral Sea crisis are explored, alongside a general overview of the current state of the sea and the Aral Sea region. An analysis of transboundary water resources in Central Asia is provided. The study also analyzes the evolution and progression of interstate cooperation in saving the Aral Sea and the surrounding region. Furthermore, the article examines, from a legal perspective, the regulatory frameworks underpinning cooperation efforts and discusses the main directions of activity of intergovernmental bodies tasked with addressing the problems of the Aral Sea basin. The authors claim that the Central Asian region has not yet been able to reverse the situation associated with the degradation of the former Aral Sea. The efforts of the five states of this region are clearly insufficient in dealing with this global environmental problem, and it is evident that broader external international assistance is needed. At the same time, the established regional cooperation mechanisms have led to significant accomplishments in the issue of the current management of each of the five bordering countries’ water withdrawal limits and forecast operation regimes of the reservoir cascades in the Syr Darya and Amu Darya River basins. This has played a crucial role in preventing acute water conflicts in the region, which undoubtedly would have arisen long ago without this cooperation. Following an analysis of all the factors, the article authors propose several recommendations to improve the recovery process of the Aral Sea.