Up First from NPR When Water Turns to Sand
Sep 22, 2024
Valerie Kipnis, an NPR Above the Fray fellow, dives deep into the ecological disaster of the Aral Sea, once a thriving lake, now largely a desert. She uncovers how historical water diversion for agriculture led to this environmental tragedy, affecting local communities and farmers in Uzbekistan struggling with water scarcity. Kipnis also discusses innovative solutions being explored to reform agricultural practices and promote sustainable water use. The emotional ties to the Amudarya River highlight a blend of despair and hope in the face of climate challenges.
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Mo'ynoq's Transformation
- Mo'ynoq, once a bustling port city of 40,000, is now a tourist site for disaster.
- Tourists visit the rusted ships in the desert, remnants of the Aral Sea's demise.
Yusup's Lifelong Witness
- Yusup Kamalov, an engineer and activist, has been working on Uzbekistan's water problem since the 90s.
- He grew up in the region and has witnessed the Aral Sea's decline.
Historical Roots of the Crisis
- The Aral Sea's demise began with Imperial Russia diverting water for cotton farming.
- The Soviets intensified this, creating a vast irrigation network that drained the Amudarya.