Description and Case study of the Aral Sea disaster for A2 Geography

1. The Aral Sea A2 – Water Conflicts

2. What is it Once the world’s 4th largest inland sea – 68,000km2 located in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan (both countries were part of the former Soviet Union) Historically a saline lake Fed by the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers

3. What’s wrong with it? In the late 1950’s the soviet govt diverted much of the Amu and Syr Darya rivers to irrigate crops. By 2007 the sea had shrunk by 90% and split into several lakes It’s level had fallen 40m The shoreline has receded up to 120 km from its former shore Deemed an environmental catastrophe

4. However… In the past it has completely disappeared and also been far bigger than it was in 1960 The controversy about the Aral Sea Region arises because the change is human induced Possibly on purpose

5. The difference

6. So Who Are The Players? Former soviet govt The fishing community Local Residents Uzbekistan govt Scientists Kazakhstan farmers International Economists Water Engineers

7. Activity 1 In groups draw up a matrix of the following issues and Brainstorm how the problems of the Aral Sea may be affecting them: Human health Agriculture Fishing industry Ecosystems

8. The Video Watch the film and take notes on the various perspectives depending on which group you are in. Farmers Government Fishermen Environmentalists

9. Activity In your groups formulate ideas on how you may argue your cases for what has gone wrong or right for you.

10. Finally Research the issues surrounding the Salton Sea Write 400 words on the following title: ‘The issues facing both the Aral and Salton Seas are solely to do with anthropogenic mismanagement’ Discuss.