Reflections on Growing Up in the Karakalpakstan Region

Abstract

In this chapter, I reflect on growing up in Karakalpakstan during the 1980s and 1990s. I review my childhood memories, and also my learning about the Aral Sea disaster since that time. Mostly, even growing up in Nukus, we were not very aware of the total extent of the disaster or the shrinking sea. It was still far away for us. Today we read about the shrinking Aral Sea and we wonder, how could it be true? Knowing what we know now, I hope my story can provide insight into understanding the region and why it is important to plan for environmental safety.

Citation

Murtazaev, A. (2012), "Reflections on Growing Up in the Karakalpakstan Region", Edelstein, M.R., Cerny, A. and Gadaev, A. (Ed.) Disaster by Design: The Aral Sea and its Lessons for Sustainability (Research in Social Problems and Public Policy, Vol. 20), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 251-259. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0196-1152(2012)0000020026