Text/photography: Dana Oparina
All participants of the expedition know that if Niels Tevs leaves the car he most probably went to examine soil. And after a while it is worth to gather around him for his impromptu lecture in the fields. Niels is 49, he is from Germany and works in Bishkek at World Agroforesty Centre. It is an international research institute with 30 offices in different countries providing donors and state agencies for agricultural amelioration with scientific expertise.
– What is your role at this expedition?
– I was invited to the expedition to speak about aquatic ecosystems and a bit about climate change. Two participants under my supervision work in the field of climate change and its influence on the water sector. Nomvar is from Tajikistan, Dinara is from Kazakhstan. They work individually but share their experience.
– What is their progress?
– Unlike other research work their theses will be based on a non-anthropological approach. These two participants will have to do the main work after the expedition: they need to compile information and lists of references. But I am sure that the expedition and all the interviews they do will inspire them a lot. It’s just great to follow the water, that comes down from the glaciers and goes to the Aral Sea and to know how climate change influences on aquatic ecosystems.
– What is the best part of this expedition for you?
– Personally for me it’s the Pamirs. Because I have never been there, it is very impressive. If we consider the expedition from the perspective of water resources and aquatic ecosystems I really liked the part along Syrdarya. The Aral Sea is the most interesting because a number of ecosystems can be found there. It should be noted that at work I already traveled in the region aroung Kyzylorda where the expedition is going soon. When we stayed near the Toktogul reservoir we saw the same soil as in Dangar, Kyzylorda. This kind of soil consists of very small particles, even smaller than sand grains. This material is easily washed away by wind and water. A lot of materials such as sludge and salt was washed away along the rivers.
Reference
Organizers of the expedition
- Kazakhstan-German University (GKU)
- The Smart Waters project, executed by the Regional Environmental Center of Central Asia (CAREC) with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
- Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
- International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS)
From Glaciers to the Aral Sea 