In western media it's usual to blame Soviet Union for the Aral sea disaster, which is partially true, but now Uzbekistan is doing nothing to save and protect Aral. Instead, Uzbekistan 1) established cotton mafia in Karakalpakstan and growing so much cotton, and exporting it to other countries and gaining a lot of revenue) 2) extracting gas and oil from the seabed 3) keeps the water of Amudaria in Muynak and thus letting the Aral sea die 4) abuses money granted by UN, EU and other international organisations to ameliorate life in Karakalpakstan and solve the Aral sea crisis. What Uzbekistan government likes to do is always blaming Soviet Union, while uz itself has stolen so much money given by international organisations. Ecosystem (salt and dust storms, desertification, pesticides, herbicides), water quality (saline) and health conditions didn't improve in Karakalpakstan. Uzbekistan is lying to the world presenting itself as a victim of Soviet Union, while Uz itself is just oppressing and worsening life and heavily assimilating Karakalpaks in Karakalpakstan.
