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Aral Sea - Large-scale diversion of Rivers - Shows effects of irrigation…
Aral Sea - Large-scale diversion of Rivers - Shows effects of irrigation programmes
General
Was world's 4th largest inland sea but started shrinking since 1960s - Soviet Gov diverted water from Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers for irrigation of agriculture
Level fallen by 40m
In 2007, sea declined to 10% of original size and split into separate lakes
Stakeholders
Former Soviet Gov
Communist leaders started irrigation scheme to develop fruit and cotton farming to create jobs for millions of farm workers in the unproductive region
Fishing Community
Was once prosperous industry that employed 60,000
Now there is a lot of unemployment and economic hardship
Local Residents
Health problems caused by wind-blown salt and dust from dried-out seabed
Drinking water and parts of sea becomes polluted due to industrial projects, pesticide and fertiliser runoff
Uzbekistan Gov
Although is a poor country (with few resources), irrigation scheme based on Aral Sea allows it to be one of world largest exporters of cotton
Scientists
Only 160 of region's 310 bird species remain
Climate changed so area more arid and prone to greater extremes of temp
Kazakhstan Farmers
Irrigation brought water table to surface so drinking water and food crops = salty and polluted
International Economists
People may not be able to feed themselves as land become infertile so up to 10 mill people may be forced to migrate and be environmental refugees
Water Engineers
Inspections reveal irrigation canals poorly built so water leaks out/evaporates - Kara Kum Canal, Asia allows 30-75% water go to waste