The process of rehabilitation of economic activity of population in the area of ecological catastrophe caused by the drying up of the Aral Sea, the world’s fourth largest lake was presented to the participants of presentations under the project of the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Global Environment Facility and United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

The project on ‘Achieving Ecosystem Stability in Degraded Land in Karakalpakstan and the Kyzylkum Desert’, which was launched four years ago, is called to help the local communities with adapting to the changing environment and arrange economical activity in the new conditions. Over $ 2.9 million was invested in the project.

The presentation was attended by deputies of the Oliy Majlis and officials of local administrations, representatives of the Ecology Movement and environmental public organizations, scientists and senior executives of UNDP, State Committee for Nature Protection, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Agriculture and Water Economy of the Republic and journalists.

The venue of the presentation located in Kazakhdaryo village, which is 120 kilometers away from Nukus, the capital of Karakalpakstan, where under the project the ex-fishermen learn the skills of livestock breeders, farmers, public services specialists that would provide their stable earnings.

In the village, which was left by the sea for more than 100 kilometers, dilapidated hulls of the fishing boats resemble of the past. Today’s typical picture of the village are the silver sand dunes that approach from the former bed of the sea, and dust storms, which annually lift to the air more than 150 million tones of salt, dust and sand from the seabed. They are carried by air currents to thousands of miles, and fall as salt rains and snow. Shelter belts of black Haloxylon, saltwort, kandym and other desert plants are called to withstand the elements and stop the shifting sands stepping on Kazakhdaryo village.

Participants had the opportunity to visit the pilot area of plantations in nine hectares, which is located five kilometers away from the village, and make sure in the effectiveness of the proposed methods of sand fixation. The plants have got well acclimated to the former seabed and were successfully tested by the past dry year.

The results of rehabilitation of degraded lands were demonstrated by the example of gardens of two households. Their owners consisting of 40 people, have successfully completed the field farming school under the project and successfully applied their knowledge in practice. They cultivated orchards, so the residents have got the opportunity to provide themselves with vegetables and other foodstuffs and the cattle with fodder. Participants of the presentation could taste apricots, cucumbers, eggplants, Bulgarian pepper, and other gifts of young orchards and gardens grown in the village. It is obvious that the field farming school guided by instructors from the Tashkent State Agrarian University is effective.

Desert-grazing livestock farming was organized on a scientific basis as well. A comprehensive veterinary service center was established in the village and the necessary equipment was supplied within the project. With the support of the project the zoology and veterinary specialist was trained to handle the high-tech process of artificial insemination of cows and sheep.

Three business plans were implemented in Kazakhdaryo with the assistance of the project to demonstrate the capacity of alternative sources of income and raise the employment of the population. The projects envisaged the establishment of small businesses: a greenhouse economy, carpentry and sewing workshops. Participants made sure in the effectiveness of their management.

For instance, the workshop established by Tozagul Atamuratova, took up the revival of national ornamental traditions of the Karakalpak people and the manufacture of pattern-based gowns, dresses, clothing sets and souvenirs. The goods are in high demand. The shop owner informed the presentation participants on her intention to produce national souvenirs for sale to foreign tourists visiting Nukus.

Irina Bekmirzaeva, the project manager, informed of tangible social and economic changes that took place in the village of Kyzyl Rawat, the second zone of an ongoing project, which is located 250 kilometers from Bukhoro.

The experience will be applied in implementation of desertification counteraction plans in the Aral Sea and other regions of Central Asia under other projects. (Source: “Uzbekistan Today” newspaper)