Aral Sea

Over the last thirty-five years irrigation has increased considerably and consequently the Sea’s surface area has declined significantly – 27,000 square kilometers of former sea bottom became dry surface and about 60% of water volume was lost. As a result the former fourth-largest lake of the world is now only at place eight in the ranking.

The photos were all taken in Kazakhstan in different villages where I lived with families during the summer of 2001. They on the one hand show the apparent challenges in the lives of people. In particular the fishermen have been affected from the shrinking of the Sea. Today they have transformed into shepherds, guarding camels, horses, sheep and sometimes cows. On the other hand the pictures also reveal the joy and kindness of the people, the creativity of their dealing with an entirely changed situation.

Eric Gourlan 2002