12 October 2012: The Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention) has reported that the Government of Kazakhstan has designated the Lesser Aral Sea and Delta of the Syrdarya River as its 10th Wetland of International Importance.

The site covers the eastern part of the Lesser Aral Sea, including Saryshyganak Bay and the mouth of the Syrdarya River, with a number of lakes at the northeastern end of the Aral Depression. It provides habitat for birds and other animals of the water-marsh complex, including some critically endangered fish. The site also plays a critical role in feeding the subsoil waters of the arid region.

According to the Ramsar Secretariat, with the ongoing efforts of the Government, the water level in the Lesser Aral has been rising with a relative revival of fisheries and agricultural activities. Kazakhstan’s designation contributes to one of the goals contained in the Ramsar Convention’s Strategic Plan for 2009-2015, which is to reach a protected area of 250 million hectares by 2015. [Ramsar Press Release]