ALMATY, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The water volume in the northern part of the Aral Sea has risen by 42 percent, reaching 27 billion cubic meters, Kazakhstan's Kazinform News Agency reported on Monday.
This increase follows the first phase of the North Aral Sea conservation project, which has also led to a nearly fourfold reduction in water salinity and a rise in the annual fish catch to 8,000 tons, according to the country's Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation.
Kazakhstan directed 2.6 billion cubic meters of water to the sea in 2024, including a record 1 billion cubic meters during the irrigation season, up from just 816 million cubic meters in 2022.
This was made possible through improved management and redistribution of water from the Syr Darya River, with support from neighboring countries, said Kazakh Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov.
The ongoing restoration project aims to enhance the region's ecological situation, boost the fishing industry, and promote eco-tourism.
In November 2024, Kazakhstan announced plans to supply an additional 1.6 billion cubic meters of water to the Aral Sea by April 2025.
