Uzbekistan | Undertaking a Massive, Ongoing Effort to Reforest the Dry Bed of the Aral Sea

Uzbekistan is undertaking a massive, ongoing effort to reforest the dry bed of the Aral Sea, once the world’s fourth - largest inland sea that has largely dried up, creating the Aralkum Desert, transforming it into a green protective cover to combat toxic dust storms. 

As of early 2026, the country has been implementing measures aimed at environmental recovery of the dry bed of this basin. Over 2 million hectares of green spaces have been created on the dried - out seabed, with major efforts in the Karakalpakstan region, specifically the Muynak district.  

The Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan is leading these efforts with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), along with various international nonprofit, and crowding initiative like the “Green Aral Sea” campaign. 

In addition Uzbekistan is working with neighbouring Kazakhstan, which is similarly restoring its own Northern Aral Sea section. 

Key Aspects of the Reforestation Initiative:

 •    The Goal: The primary objective is to bind the toxic, saline soil to prevent it from being carried by wind, which poses serious health risks to over 700.000 residents in the surrounding area. 
•    Methodology: The initiative focuses on planting drought – resistant native shrubs, primarily saxaul (haloxylon), which can survive on minimal water and fix up to 4 tons of toxic sand per tree.  
•    Current Progress (2026): According to reports in April 2026, the country has expanded afforestation across 220.000 hectares and crerated a total of 256.000 hectares of new green cover in the region recently. 
•    Implementation Strategy: The work is largely carried out during winter, the optimal season for tree survival, and is part of a broader strategy to mitigate the environmental disaster. 

During an environmental summit, Uzbek agronomist Aziz Nurbekov said that currently Uzbekistan is doing extensive work to create green areas of the dry bed of the Aral Sea and this is an important step towards improving the environmental situation in the region. 

The agronomist added that the event became a platform for the exchange of experiences among Central Asian countries. According to him, the initiative highlighted the importance of cooperation between Uzbekistan, which shares reforestation practices in arid regions, and Kazakhstan, which presents its experience in reclaiming its part of the Aral Sea. 

Finally the agronomist stressed that these meetings allow for the discussion of ecological issues relevant to the region and promote the exchange of knowledge to face the impacts of climate change. 

Link 
https://tvbrics.com/es/news/uzbekist-n-busca-reforestar-el-territorio-del-lecho-seco-del-mar-de-aral/