Days ago, in the article dedicated to Zhang Qian's travels, we referred to a conflict that pitted China during the Han Dynasty against the Kingdom of Dayuan in Central Asia. Its inhabitants possessed a high-quality horse breed, the so-called Fergana horses, which became the object of Chinese ambitio
Environmental activism begins to make its mark in Central Asia
February 27, 2021
Grassroots environmental groups often have a tough time making their mark in autocratic states. But in Central Asia, there are signs that civil society is finding its voice, raising awareness about the region’s many environmental issues.
The Aral Sea (or what’s left of it) spans the countries of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and was once the fourth largest lake in the world. Its shrinking has been described as one of history’s biggest environmental disasters.
The tragedy is arguably the first time the deteriorating environment in Central Asia has caught international attention and concerns have been raised over what local governments and societies are doing to prevent the same harm being done to other important natural formations in the region, such as the Caspian Sea.