Locations
Saxaul tree, Aral region, Kazakhstan
As a child, Zauresh remembers a vast sea with a large variety of vegetation, fish, and animals. Once, a full-flowing sea provided the residents of the surrounding villages with food and work. However, due to the decision to increase the area for cotton planting, the massive use of chemicals, and increased water intake, the Aral Sea began to dry up, becoming a "creeping environmental problem." The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) calls the Aral Sea crisis a slow-onset environmental problem caused by human activity. The drying up of the sea has led to negative consequences such as land degradation, desertification, loss of biodiversity, and climate change throughout the region.
"I was born at the Saksaulskaya station in 60 kilometers from Aralsk. I remember that our region was once green, and people were happy and busy with work. We are restoring what is considered a zone of global environmental disaster. I have very little time left before retirement, and I really want to see the results of our common work,"Zauresh Alimbetova shares her memories.
Zauresh Alimbetova, Director of the Public Association «Aral Oasis»
Zauresh is currently the Director of the Public Association "Aral Oasis", which is developing and implementing advanced methods of forest cultivation in the Aral Sea region. The organization's mission is to assist local communities in adapting to climate change, restoring the ecosystems of the Aral region, and afforestation of the dried bed of the Aral Sea. Now, with the support of the Global Environment Facility and UNDP Small Grants Programme, Zauresh and the project "100 Micro-nurseries for Aral Oases" team are striving to bring life back to these lands, creating sustainable ecosystems and strengthening local communities.
"The creation of a network of micro-nurseries is not just landscaping. It contributes to restoring the Aral Sea ecosystem and supporting local communities that become guardians of their land. Each nursery is a small oasis capable of growing local resistant plants that play a key role in combating desertification and soil degradation,"
noted Zauresh Alimbetova.
Instead of large-scale, expensive forest plantings, the project team relied on local solutions - small nurseries that are easy for local residents to maintain. This approach reduces environmental risks and involves communities in restoring nature.
The idea behind micro-nurseries is both simple and effective: local residents grow saxaul seedlings in their own backyards using special bags filled with sand and organic fertilizer. After a year, the seedlings are strong and ready for transplanting. Because the bag protects their root systems, they suffer minimal damage during replanting. This "closed root system" method dramatically improves plant survival rates by up to 90 percent.
"Saxaul is a unique plant and helps stop sand movement and restore the Aral Sea ecosystems. As part of our '100 Micro-nurseries' project, we engage local communities so that they can plant saxaul seedlings and create cooperatives to grow seedlings with a closed root system,"
Zauresh shares.
Research shows that one-year-old saxaul plantations can reduce wind speed by 20.5 percent. Wind can drop to nearly zero when the trees reach seven years of age. This slows the spread of salt and chemical residues from the exposed seabed. Saxaul also helps mitigate climate change: one hectare of 13-year-old forest absorbs nearly five tons of carbon dioxide and produces about four tons of oxygen annually. Its deep roots anchor the sandy soil and protect it from erosion.
The project actively involves local residents in the process of nature restoration. Rural residents not only gain knowledge about sustainable landscaping methods but also become direct participants in the initiative.
A resident of the Karaterek village, Kaznagul Aimbetova, shared her experience:
"We always felt responsible for our land, but we did not have the tools to restore it. Now, with the help of micro-nurseries, we see real changes and believe that we can pass on a greener and more fertile land to our children."
The project organizes training sessions for farmers and local residents, where participants receive practical knowledge about creating and caring for micro-nurseries. These activities help develop a sense of responsibility for the environment in the community and strengthen the connections between people and nature.
The Aral Sea's revival begins with small but bold steps – like micro-nurseries that carefully cultivate the region's future. Thanks to local residents like Zauresh and Kaznagul, the desolate land is once again filled with life and meaning. This project is not just about restoring nature – it's about believing that change is possible when local communities become part of the solution.
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The GEF/UNDP Small Grants Programme in Kazakhstan continues to support initiatives that contribute to environmental protection and improving the well-being of local communities.
Learn more about our activities on gefsgp.kz.
