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The Caspian Sea, the world’s largest landlocked lake, is rapidly drying up, posing severe threats to the ecosystems and livelihoods of the five nations it borders: Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Azerbaijan. In Kazakhstan’s port city of Aktau, residents report that the shoreline has retreated by approximately 100 meters, a change visible to the naked eye.
Environmentalists and researchers warn that if this trend continues, the sea’s water level could drop by up to 18 meters by the end of the century, resulting in a loss of nearly 34% of its surface area. This drastic reduction endangers the region’s biodiversity, particularly species like the critically endangered sturgeon, whose caviar was once a common delicacy.
Environmentalist Adilbek Kozhibakhov recalls a childhood where sturgeon caviar was a household staple, but today, natural caviar is nearly unobtainable. Researchers note that even a 5 to 10-meter drop in water levels could threaten seals, sturgeons, and other species.
The crisis stems from multiple factors. While climate change is a significant driver, experts also point to Russia’s water management policies, particularly the construction of numerous dams and reservoirs on the Volga River, which supplies 80-85% of the Caspian’s water. Increased water use for agriculture and industry has drastically reduced the river’s flow into the sea.
Another major concern is the environmental impact of oil fields around the Caspian, operated by international companies under secretive government agreements. Kazakh environmental lawyer Vadim Ni has filed a lawsuit in the high court, alleging these agreements violate international law by concealing environmental damage. Ni claims that so-called environmental studies are often biased to protect corporate interests, leaving local communities to deal with pollution, waste, and water shortages while companies export “green energy” to Europe.
In Aktau, Kozhibakhov is collaborating with local authorities, civil society, and residents to protect the Caspian Sea. “We know the sea is drying up; no research is needed—it’s visible,” he says. The Caspian is not just a body of water but a vital geographic, economic, and strategic hub, part of the “Middle Corridor” trade route from China to Europe and a repository of vast oil and gas reserves.
Fears are mounting that the Caspian could meet the same fate as the Aral Sea, which was reduced to 10% of its original size in the 20th century due to Soviet-era water diversions. Without urgent action, experts warn, the Caspian Sea may become a historical relic, leaving devastated ecosystems and communities in its wake.
Image Caption (2022): The receding shoreline of the Caspian Sea near Aktau, Kazakhstan, underscores the ongoing environmental crisis.
Date: September 1, 2024, Aktau Port City, Kazakhstan
