The content creator for RealLifeLore explains how the USSR transformed the Asia for agriculture, and destroying the world’s 4th largest lake in the process.
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Author outlines water diversion for crops, effects on ecosystem, resulting complications from further chemical and pesticide use, predicts future potential conflict due to lack of water resources.
Indeed.
In 1960, the Aral Sea had been the world’s fourth-largest lake with an area of 68,000 km2 (26,000 sq mi) and a volume of 1,100 km3 (260 cu mi). By 1998, it had dropped to 28,687 km2 (11,076 sq mi) and eighth largest. - Wikipedia