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Expidition "Aral-2003" |
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The objective of the “Aral - 2003” Expedition was to acquaint the representatives of states-founders of IFAS with the activity carrying out in the zone of ecological crisis and to hold a workshop on the subject “Improvement of ecological and socio-economic situation in Pryaralye – the main direction of IFAS”. During September 14-21, 2003, the Expedition-workshop got a great support of UNDP representative Mr. M. Rathnam. With the help of the Executive Board – EC-IFAS Branch in the Republic of Kazakhstan and Akim of Kzyl-Orda region Mr. Nurgisaev, the “Aral-2003” Expedition was organized in the Kazakh part of Pryaralye – Kazalinsk and Aralsk regions of Kzyl-Orda oblast. And the workshop “Improvement of ecological and socio-economic situation in Pryaralye – the main direction of IFAS” devoted to the tenth anniversary of IFAS and held in Aralsk city of Kzyl-Orda oblast finished it. The Institute of Zoology under the Russian Academy of Science in cooperation with IFAS agencies organized the expedition to the Aral sea from Karakalpakstan side of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The Executive Committee of IFAS is grateful to Prof. Aladin N. B., the leader of this expedition, for the presented materials as well as to Mr. Ashirbekov U. A., the Director of Nukus Branch of EC-IFAS and to Mr. Giniyatullin R. A., the Head of the Agency on realization of the Project “Improvement of ecological and socio-economic situation in Pryaralye” in Tashkent city, for their assistance in the Expedition organization. On September 15, 2003, arriving to Kzyl-Orda Mr. Nurgisaev S. U. made a round-table with the participants of the Expedition-workshop “Improvement of ecological and socio-economic situation in Pryaralye”. At the Meeting the Heads of oblast organizations and of Mass Media took part. After the round-table discussion the participants of the Expedition in Kzyl-Orda city visited the Kzyl-Orda water-engineering system on the Syr Darya river. The general water release capacity of this system during the summer time is 1200 m3/c, of the left-bank – 350 m3/c, right-bank - 50 m3/c and the water release to Syr Darya river is 800 m3/c. Hydrological facilities are in bad condition. The impossibility of water release in winter time is caused by ice activity on the river (narrowing of living section, raising of water level due to ice blockage). Lower the water-engineering system, at a distance of nearly 800-1000 m, the hydropost is situated. The equipment of the post (hydrometrical ferry-boat, water level recorder of an insular type, pile water-gauging post) is in bad condition. The expedition participants visited the following places: the main facility on the channel Karaozek and Aitek Dam on the Syr Darya river. The strengthening of tail-water facility on the channel Karaozek and the construction of new Aitek Dam for regular water supply and increasing of winter freshet withdrawals in the range of Aitek, decreasing of annual expenses for erection of temporary (provisional) land coffer-dam. Maximum estimated cost: in summer – 500m3/ñ and in winter – 300m3/ñ. In the region of Kazalinsk city the expedition visited the Pumping Station ¹ 7 on the Aral-Sarybulak water-supply system that supplies 50.000 local residents with drinking water. The day of the visit to the region of Karateren gauging post the new pontoon-bridge building was finished by “Zarubejvodstroy”, that shortens the distance to the dam and regulating facility (the Syr Darya river width is 60 m, and its water withdrawal is 200-300 m3/ñ). In the Berg Strait region (in the place of natural division of the Large and Small Seas) the expedition visited the constructing dam for increasing of the Small (Northern) Sea level. The dam length is 13034 m and its width is up to 100-150 m. The dam should cross the Berg Strait and join the Kokaral island. The dam height is 45,5 m, the filling of the Small Sea is supposed to be up to 42,2 m. The water release facility with the water capacity of 600 m3/ñ is planned to be installed on the dam. The dam will be built with the sand of 20-30 sm of thickness, the sand is moistened and rammed by vibro-rollers. The construction is carried out by Russian joint-stock company “Zarubejvodstroy”. 86 million UN$ are allotted for the dam construction. By the time of the visit the water with the withdrawal of 200-300 m3/ñ (visual width is 300-350 m) flowing into the Small Sea via the Syr Darya river, has been flowing into the Large Sea via the Berg Strait. The dam construction is leading to significant rise of water level, rehabilitation of the Northern part of the Aral Sea, decrease of water salinity that will influence the partial rehabilitation of fisheries in this region. Decreasing of salt transference and improving of agriculture productivity (including cattle-breeding) and ecological situation in the Syr Darya river basin, deterioration of immigration processes as well as health improvements will be also achieved. The Small Sea will approach the city of Aralsk when the envisaged filling level will be reached. Finally, on September 17, 2003, the participants of the expedition jointly with the representatives of organizations in Aralsk and Kazalinsk regions conducted the conference on the subject “Improvement of ecological and socio-economic situation in Pryaralye – the priority of IFAS activities” devoted to the tenth anniversary of IFAS. The participants of the expedition-workshop visited the old fishing port of Aralsk city. In honour of the coming centenary of Aralsk city the construction of the Out-Door Museum was conducted. Some ships of fishing fleet will be exhibited there. On their arrival to Kzyl-Orda the participants of the expedition visited the historical museum and other sightseeing of the city. |
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