The Environmental Effects on Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan
Lake Sarykamysh, located on the border of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, has experienced a significant decrease in its area over the past six years. According to MeteoJournal, satellite images show that the lake has shrunk by 170 square kilometers, from 4110 to 3940 square kilometers, which is a 4% reduction.
The main cause of this shrinkage is attributed to the severe drought that occurred between 2021-2023. During this time, the flow of the Amu Darya River, which supplies drainage water to Lake Sarykamysh, decreased significantly. Additionally, the increase in air temperature has led to higher rates of evaporation, further contributing to the decrease in the lake’s size.
Lake Sarykamysh is divided between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, with three-quarters of the lake located in the former and one-quarter in the latter. A portion of the lake also falls within the Kaplankyr Nature Reserve, which is home to a diverse range of aquatic fauna and bird species.
Experts note that the lake has undergone fluctuations in size throughout its history, with its modern form taking shape in the early 1960s due to the development of new lands. Despite its past changes, the current decrease in the lake’s area serves as a concerning indicator of a negative long-term trend that could impact the lake’s ecosystem.
While the 4.14% reduction in Lake Sarykamysh’s area is not yet critical, it highlights the importance of monitoring and addressing factors that could further impact the lake’s health and biodiversity in the future.
