Aral Sea

Question 1

What did the Kazakhstan government build?

Answer 1

The Kok Aral Dam

Question 2

How much was the loan from the World Bank to the Kazakhstan government?

Answer 2

$68 million

Question 3

Where is the Aral Sea?

Answer 3

North-western Uzbekistan and southern Kazakhstan.

Question 3

Since when has the Aral Sea been shrinking?

Answer 3

1960s

Question 4

How much has the volume of the Aral Sea reduced by?

Answer 4

75%

Question 5

How many of the known Aral Sea fish species are now extinct?

Answer 5

All 20

Question 6

What caused the dams, 850mile canal and feeder canals to be built?

Answer 6

The Soviet central government deciding to be self sufficient in cotton and to increase rice production. They needed water from the two feeder rivers of the Aral Sea.

Question 7

Quantify what the Aral Sea fishing industry used to be.

Answer 7

It employed 40,000 people and produced 1/6 of the Soviet Union’s entire fish catch.

Question 8

Name 3 illnesses resulting from toxic pesticides and harmful chemicals in the Aral Sea dust.

Answer 8

Tuberculosis, cancer, digestive disorders.

Question 9

What is the child mortality rate in the area?

Answer 9

75/1000

Question 10

List the 5 stakeholders in the Aral Sea situation.

Answer 10

1. The former Soviet government.
2. Fishing community
3. Local residents
4. Scientists
5. International economists

Question 11

How many environmental refugees could the loss of the Aral Sea create?

Answer 11

10 million