Where the Aral Sea used to be A photographic report by Johannes Ode johannes.ode@wxs.nl

Pictures taken in and around Muynak during autumn 1998, combined with pictures and paintings from around 30 years ago, when Muynak was a still a flourishing fishing town on an island at the southern part of the Aral sea in Uzbekistan. Now the Aral sea has withdrawn more than 100 kilometers. Irrigation for cotton production being the main cause.

In a classroom in Muynak children learn about the past of the Aral sea, the brave fishemen, and the ecological change.

Former fishermen catch small quantities of fish in shallow lakes which are only temporary filled with river water.

The fish canning factory used to be the biggest in Central-Asia. Now once in a while small quantities of fish are processed.

If you are interested in these or other pictures from the Aral region and Uzbekistan, send me an e-mail by clicking the picture below

Health conditions are deteriorating. Especially for pregnant women and children. TB, anemia and kidney deseases are very common. Most people take water from irrigation canals and wells of which the water is very salty and unhealthy.

NOTE Pictures  on this site cannot be reproduced without prior agreement by  Johannes Ode

johannes.ode@wxs.nl

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MSF is giving support to the people in the Aral Region. Their website is: www.msf.org/aralsea

Other photographic reports by Johannes Ode

Cotton in Uzbekistan

See pictures on Water Issue

Last change of this page: 22 march 2000