Balkhash Lake Crisis: Environmental Threats and Impacts on Local Communities
Lake Balkhash, once thriving, is threatened by pollution and decreasing water levels, primarily from overuse of the Ili River in China for agriculture. Fish populations are declining, and pollution from local industries poses health risks to the community. Urgent cooperation on water management with China is essential for the lake’s preservation.
Lake Balkhash, known as the “pearl of Kazakhstan,” is a unique body of water characterized by one side containing salt water and the other fresh. However, it is currently threatened by pollution, climate change, and overuse. As fish populations decline, local fisherman Alexei Grebennikov lamented, “There are fewer and fewer fish. It’s catastrophic; the lake is silting up.” The industrial town of Balkhash appears trapped in a time long past, with infrastructure like an unused dredger deteriorating on the shores.
Researcher Olga Sharipova highlighted that Lake Balkhash serves as Kazakhstan’s largest fishery, crucial for local biodiversity. Yet, decreasing water levels disrupt fish reproduction. A recent temporary fill of water from flooding provided a brief reprieve, but it hasn’t reversed the trend of declining water levels due to decreased inflow from the Ili River in China, the lake’s main tributary.
The broader context for all Central Asian lakes, many of which are already under distress like the Aral Sea, reveals a regional vulnerability exacerbated by global warming and human activity. Rising temperatures lead to increased evaporation, while industrial demand and glacier melting contribute to water scarcity. Lake Balkhash’s situation is further complicated by its importance in the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative.
A study from Oxford University found that water diversion for agriculture in China, particularly for cotton, has been detrimental to the lake’s water supply. It warned that, without changes in water management, future supplies would continue to diminish. Kazakhstan faces challenges navigating its water agreements with China, with officials prioritizing water sharing for sustainable management of the lake.
Compounding these water management issues is pollution from industrial activities in the surrounding area, particularly from Kazakhmys, Kazakhstan’s largest copper producer. The community grapples with health impacts linked to pollution, including elevated lung cancer rates. Although Kazakhmys claims efforts to mitigate environmental damage, local authorities and health officials remain cautious of their assurances about pollution control.
Lake Balkhash is facing a critical environmental crisis influenced by over-extraction of its main water source and pollution from local industries. With dwindling fish populations and health risks for nearby residents, urgent action is necessary. Collaborative efforts between Kazakhstan and China regarding water management are key to preserving this unique aquatic ecosystem and fostering sustainable fishing practices.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
