Human activity causes the Aral Sea to shrink by 90%

The Aral Sea, once the world's fourth-largest inland body of water, has shrunk by around 90% due to Soviet-era river diversions and environmental mismanagement. This ecological disaster has left the region with a desert, the Aralkum, where small, brackish lakes are remnants of the once-massive sea. Restoration efforts have made limited progress, but the area remains blighted with contaminated soil and water, leading to health issues. The decline of the Aral Sea highlights the consequences of environmental negligence and serves as a warning for other vulnerable regions worldwide.  (The New York Times)