On June 17, an athlete from Uzbekistan ran the Aral Eco Marathon with a distance of over 42 kilometers along the bottom of the Aral Sea, the Uzbek Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change reported on their Telegram channel.
In a remarkable display of determination and activism, the athlete from Uzbekistan, Andrey Kulikov embarked on a groundbreaking marathon along the desolate bottom of the Aral Sea. The Aral Eco Marathon covered a distance of over 42 kilometers and was organized to coincide with World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. This initiative aimed to draw global attention to the dire environmental situation in the region and inspire individuals to take action against climate change.
Kulikov's objective was to provide a firsthand experience of the ecological catastrophe that has befallen the Aral Sea region due to desertification and dwindling water resources.
“To truly experience this ecological catastrophe, the desertification of the Aral Sea region, you have to visit this place,” Kulikov stated.
The Aral Eco-Marathon was broadcast live on the ministry's YouTube channel, attracting viewers from all over the world. This event served as a stark reminder of the need for international collaboration and immediate action to combat desertification and drought.
The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, established during the 49th session of the United Nations General Assembly in 1994, is observed annually on June 17. Its purpose is to raise public awareness about the pressing issue of desertification and the consequences of drought on the environment and human livelihoods.
The Aral Sea, once one of the world's largest lakes, has suffered catastrophic water loss since the 1960s. Its water volume has shrunk nearly tenfold, leading to severe ecological devastation in the region. Local communities, who previously relied on the lake for fishing, now face significant challenges. They are exposed to frequent sand and dust storms, which pose health risks to both humans and livestock.
The sea is divided into two parts: the large Aral in the territory of Uzbekistan and the small Aral in Kazakhstan. The Syr Darya and Amu Darya, two transboundary rivers, historically flowed into the Aral Sea. The Syr Darya River originates in the highlands of the Kyrgyz Republic, passing through Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan, until it reaches its final destination in the Kyzylorda Region of Kazakhstan.
Prior to Kulikov's marathon, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) organized an expedition to the dried bottom of the Aral Sea in May. This initiative aimed to raise awareness about the Aral Sea disaster, foster dialogue among organizations working in the region, and promote knowledge exchange.
Thanks to joint efforts, the water level in the Aral Sea has increased by nearly 1.5bn cubic meters since the start of this year, rising to 95 centimeters for the first time in many years.
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