“The drying up of the Aral Sea and its transformation into a desert is a worrying problem. The region that has suffered an ecological disaster must be rehabilitated. In addition, it is necessary to effectively use the water resources of transboundary rivers. For this, water-saving technologies must be widely used,” said the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
From October 2024 to January of this year, 1 billion cubic meters of water were released into the North Aral Sea. This is 100 million cubic meters more than the planned volume. As a result of agreements reached with the countries of Central Asia, the total volume of water released into the North Aral Sea by the end of March 2025 will reach 1.6 billion cubic meters.
Today, the total volume of water in the North Aral Sea is 22.1 billion cubic meters. At the beginning of 2022, it was 18.9 billion cubic meters. By the end of 2025, the volume of water in the sea is expected to reach 23.4 billion cubic meters.
The area of ​​the North Aral Sea is also increasing. Today, it has reached 3,065 square kilometers. This is 111 square kilometers more than at the beginning of 2022.
The increase in the area and volume of the North Aral Sea has allowed to reduce water mineralization and restore the population of 22 species of fish. The annual catch has reached 8 thousand tons.
The project "Preservation of the Kokaral Dam and Restoration of the Syrdarya River Estuaries" is nearing completion. Today, the construction of the "Taur" protective dam, the reconstruction of the dams in two sections between Lake Karashalan and the Syrdarya River, and the "Karachalan-1" canal and its main structure have been completed. It is planned to complete the reconstruction of the Kokaral Dam, which separates the North Aral Sea from the Big Aral Sea, by the end of the year. The implementation of the project will contribute to the preservation of the North Aral Sea and the reduction of water salinity.
The use of laser leveling and water-saving technologies in the Kyzylorda region has saved about 200 million cubic meters of water and directed it to the North Aral Sea. 55 thousand hectares of rice fields have been leveled using laser leveling, which has helped to increase the average yield from 40-55 centners per hectare to 70-80 centners.
To encourage the introduction of water-saving technologies, the amount of subsidies for farmers for infrastructure construction, purchase and installation of water-saving systems has been increased from 50% to 80%. The amount of subsidies for water supply for farmers using water-saving systems has been increased to 85% depending on the tariff.
Planting work is continuing to rehabilitate the area in the Aral Sea basin. Today, 4.4 million seedlings have been planted in the drained territory of the Greater Aral Sea.
In the period from 2021 to 2024, seeds and seedlings were planted on 475 thousand hectares. This year, it is planned to carry out greening work on 428 thousand hectares. As a result, by the end of 2025, the total volume of greening of the Aral Sea bed should reach 1.1 million hectares.
It should be noted that from January 1, 2024, the chairmanship of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea passed to the Republic of Kazakhstan. Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was elected President of the IAF until the end of 2026. The work plan of the IAF Executive Committee was approved during the chairmanship of Kazakhstan in 2024-2026. The document includes about 40 events in 10 different areas.
The implementation of the President's instructions will provide employment to about 2,000 thousand people. The increase in the volume and area of ​​the North Aral Sea reduces water mineralization, which helps preserve its biological diversity and contributes to the development of the Kyzylorda region's fisheries.
The introduction of water-saving technologies and the development of water infrastructure will allow additional water to be pumped into the North Aral Sea, as well as help develop the region's agriculture.
Landscaping the drained area of ​​the Aral Sea will prevent soil erosion and help combat sand and salt storms. This will improve the ecological situation in the region and protect the health of local residents.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/water/press/news/details/934374