A Comparison

If I look at the pictures from Ajteke bi from last year and compare them to those from Kentau, the stark difference deeply affects me (see photos). The disaster caused by the vanishing Aral Sea, which can easily be compared to the consequences of Chernobyl in its magnitude, has such an impact on nature and people that it is astonishing this region is even inhabited. Those who have followed my journey there know about the catastrophic effects of salinization and the pesticides and fertilizers used there.

Kentau and Turkestan are notably green cities despite the summer heat of consistently 33 degrees Celsius and more. I was told that during Soviet times, Kentau was referred to as the Switzerland of Kazakhstan. Near my accommodation, there are two parks whose main paths are lined with flowerbeds and fountains. The people in the region around the remaining Aral Sea can only dream of that.

By the way: For more information about the Aral Sea - Wikipedia describes it in detail.