Aral Sea Basin subject to international research
The need for initiating an international research programme related to the environment of the Aral Sea Basin (Central Asia) is being examined by Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) from France and the International Association for the Promotion of Cooperation with Scientists (INTAS) from New Independent States (NIS) of the former Soviet Union, together with other research institutions and funding organizations. The proposed specific programme for environmental research would be an ambitious long-term multidisciplinary research programme, characterised by innovative research, long-term impact, and strong international cooperation and networking, within the range of fundamental science to applied research and based on themes of common interest. All the projects would need to be joint ventures between several research organizations from both Europe and the NIS. The probable focus of the Specific Programme for Environmental Research would be "to invert the process of desiccation and improve the water quality by investigating the processes involved and finding the necessary means to make the maximum improvements possible". The Programme objectives would include, among others: - To improve knowledge of the Aral Sea Basin in order to better understand its past, present and future development; - To define and attempt to understand the major problems (anthropogenic and natural) which have formed the present state of the Basin; - To define and work out ideas and measures to avoid a further disturbance of, and to improve optimal use of, the environment (above and below ground level) with specific reference to ecology, health and economy; - To disseminate the project results to international and national authorities and other parties involved in decision-making and development activities related to the Basin; - To extrapolate research results for possible use for other comparable basins in the world. The proposed themes for the Programme are: - Biodiversity; - Desertification; - Environmental technology; - Management of soil and natural resources; - Public health; - Regional development; - Water.