Tragedy and revival of the great body of water in Central Asia -
The Aral Sea is one of the most large-scale, dramatic, and unique geographical sites on the planet, located in the heart of Central Asia on the border of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Historically the world's fourth-largest endorheic salt lake, this giant water body occupied an area of about 68–69 thousand square kilometers with a maximum depth of up to 69 meters, a length of 428 kilometers, and a width of 284 kilometers.
Possessing a unique ecosystem that included almost 200 species of invertebrates and 32 species of valuable fish, the Aral Sea formed the mild microclimate of a vast region and served as the foundation of prosperity for hundreds of thousands of local residents.
However, large-scale, uncontrolled anthropogenic water intake from the great rivers feeding it, the Amu Darya and the Syr Darya River, for the irrigation of cotton and rice plantations led to one of the most severe ecological disasters of the 20th century, causing the sea to dry up. Today, after the large-scale anthropogenic breakup of the unified water area into isolated parts, its northern Kazakh section – the North Small Aral Sea – has gained a second life thanks to the construction of the Kokaral Dam, becoming a symbol of hope and the successful restoration of a unique natural site. The South (Large) Aral Sea is also partially preserved, waiting for its water and future revival. On the site of the dried-up seabed, the endless salt-and-sand Aralkum Desert has formed.
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How to get there and visit -
The Aral Sea is located near the city of Aralsk in the Aral district, Kyzylorda region, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS geographical coordinates: 45°24'13"N 59°35'07"E
Transport logistics of this remote desert region completely rule out public transport – there are no asphalt roads leading to the retreated water. Visiting the former coastline, ship graveyards, and the revived Small Aral is possible exclusively within specialized expeditionary jeep tours in 4x4 off-road vehicles accompanied by experienced accredited guides.
The route of off-road expeditions usually runs from Aralsk through coastal settlements such as Akbasty, Tastubek, Akespe, or Karateren, and salt marsh areas of the former seabed. Driving along the bottom of the Aral Sea involves objective risks: damp silt traps and unstable takyrs can hide beneath a thin salt crust and layers of fine-grained sand. It is strictly forbidden to set out on such journeys in single vehicles – an expedition must include at least two prepared off-road vehicles equipped with satellite navigators, shovels, dynamic tow straps, extra fuel canisters, and a large supply of drinking water.
It is strongly recommended to plan the trip for the spring period (April – May) or early autumn (September – October). In summer, extreme heat reigns in the desert with air temperatures above +40°C, and in winter, piercing steppe winds and blizzards blow. Overnight stays are organized in tent camps under the open sky or in guest houses of local residents in coastal villages, where one can always replenish fresh water supplies and get acquainted with the lifestyle of the Aral Sea region.
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History
The history of the Aral basin goes back thousands of years: according to absolute dating, the water body formed about 17.6 thousand years ago as a result of the melting of the Pamir and Tian Shan glaciers. Over the centuries, the level and size of the lake changed repeatedly due to natural climate fluctuations and changes in river channels, while during ancient and medieval eras (including the flourishing periods of Khwarazm and Golden Horde settlements), oasis culture, trade, and caravan routes actively developed here.
Systematic scientific study and mapping of the Aral Sea began in 1848–1849 under the leadership of the outstanding researcher Alexei Butakov. The Ukrainian poet and artist Taras Shevchenko took part in this historic expedition, creating a series of unique drawings that captured the pristine appearance of the shores, islands, and daily life of the region.
The schooners "Konstantin" and "Obruchev", delivered disassembled and launched at Raim Fort, marked the beginning of official navigation and regular fishing on the Aral Sea, which reached industrial scale in the 20th century – in peak years, fish catches numbered tens of thousands of tons.
A catastrophic turning point in the history of the region occurred in the 1960s. The approved state strategy to turn Central Asia into the largest supplier of cotton required gigantic volumes of water for irrigation. The diversion of the runoff of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya caused the sea level to begin dropping at a rate of 20 to 90 centimeters per year.
By 1989, the once-single water body split into isolated parts – the North (Small) and South (Large) Aral Sea. On the site of the dried-up seabed, the salt-and-sand Aralkum Desert emerged with an area of over 60 thousand square kilometers, while the once-prosperous ports of Aralsk and Muynak were cut off from the water by tens of kilometers.
Information
The modern Aral region represents a harsh, contrasting, and attractive area of ecotourism, where nature coexists with the results of large-scale anthropogenic intervention. On the exposed bottom, researchers discovered not only traces of the environmental disaster, but also unique artifacts: the medieval Aral-Asar settlement and Kerderi mausoleums, hidden for centuries under twenty meters of water.
At the same time, the region demonstrates the triumph of engineering thought and practical ecology. The key modern event was the successful implementation of the first phase of the Syr Darya Control and Northern Aral Sea project (SYNAS).
Thanks to the construction of the massive 17-kilometer Kokaral Dam with spillway gates in 2003–2005, the Kazakh side managed to separate the Small Aral from the drying Large Aral. The water level in the northern part rose by 4 meters and salinity decreased significantly, which made it possible to restore the ecosystem and revive commercial fishing. To date, the water volume in the North Aral has reached a record 23.4 billion cubic meters, and the annual fish catch is measured in thousands of tons.
Detailed description of the venue
• Small Aral (North Sea): The recovering northern part of the water area within the territory of Kazakhstan, where water levels have stabilized and fish have returned thanks to hydraulic structures.
• Kokaral Dam: A large-scale hydraulic structure 17 kilometers long and 6 meters high, equipped with gates, which saved the North Aral from complete disappearance.
• Aralkum Desert (Akkum): An extensive salt-marsh desert with an area of over 60,000 sq. km, formed on the site of the retreated sea and annually lifting tons of salt-and-dust aerosols into the atmosphere.
• City of Aralsk: The historical center and port of the Kazakh Aral Sea region, where fish processing enterprises ("Kambala Balyk") and the Museum of the Aral Sea are concentrated today.
• Barsakelmes Island and Reserve: A unique natural territory in the middle of the dried seabed, the former largest island of the Aral Sea, which turned into a peninsula and became home to rare animal species, including populations of onagers and goitered gazelles.
Architecture
The architectural landscape of the Aral region lacks traditional classical forms of urban development, yet it is filled with expressive industrial, historical, and engineering sites. Old port infrastructure buildings from the time of 19th-century expeditions, abandoned fish canning factories, and lighthouses stranded in the middle of dry land have been preserved here.
The main architectural and engineering asset of modern times consists of hydraulic structures: the Kokaral Dam, the Aklak hydraulic structure, and protective dams along the Syr Darya riverbed. These structures made of reinforced concrete and compacted soil symbolize human perseverance in striving to correct the mistakes of the past and return life to the parched steppe.
Legend
Among the indigenous inhabitants of the Aral region, deep legends are passed down from generation to generation about the once-boundless, fish-rich, and gentle waters that protected the steppes from the heat and bestowed abundance. Old-timers believe that the sea did not leave forever of its own accord, but merely retreated temporarily to teach people a harsh lesson and make them realize the true, priceless value of water.
According to local legends, sincere respect for the Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers, care for nature, and joint constructive labor will eventually bring the big water back to the deserted lands, uniting the severed expanses of sand dunes and blue waves.
Conclusion
The Aral Sea is a monumental and tragic landmark of planetary scale, combining a bitter lesson of human overconfidence with an inspiring example of hope. The revival of the Small Aral proves that natural ecosystems possess a colossal potential for recovery when science, state will, and caring people join forces.
Visiting this harsh and beautiful land leaves an indelible emotional impression, making every traveler take a fresh look at the fragility of the surrounding world, the value of every freshwater stream, and human responsibility to future generations.
Interesting sights nearby:
• Aral Geopark;
• Butakov Bay;
• Shevchenko Bay;
• Kerderi Mausoleum;
• Aral-Asar Settlement;
• Barsakelmes Nature Reserve;
• Barsakelmes Island;
• Ayteke Bi Village;
• Baikonur Cosmodrome.
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