Extreme living conditions around the shrinking sea greatly jeopardize conservation of the genepool in the region, especially that of the indigenous peoples living in the Republic of Karakalpakstan most suffering from the catastrophe implications. The fund provides overall support to the population of the region focusing on health protection, preventive health care, infrastructure development, etc.

The environmental crisis and heavy load on the ecosystem in the region are extraordinary both by its present scale and destructive potential. Up today the Red Book of Uzbekistan includes 11 species of fish, 12 species of mammals, 26 species of birds, 11 species of plants and 2 species of reptiles.

The Fund works for maintenance of fragile natural balance, recovery of the genepool of the regional flora and fauna, environment protection, facilitating ecological security, prevention of irrational anthropogenic interventions. We also work with the population to raise awareness on the implications of irrational use of natural resources, resource saving technologies, alternatives energy sources, etc.

The population of the region cannot adequately respond to present challenges and create enabling environment to ensure normal living conditions. Consequently, the region faces the highest migration level in the country which is not surprising given extremely limited income sources.

The Fund’s vision is based on the understanding that is necessary to revise the very perception of current and potential social and economic problems. In this regard we focus on adaptation of economic activity to existing natural, social and other conditions as well as on prevention of further degradation of the region. This includes substitution of crops for the ones able to grow in dry areas, introduction of new technologies (water saving, energy saving, etc.), requalification and additional training courses for population, creation of new sources of financing for business and farming, etc.

As a source of cultural and ethnographic discoveries the Aral Sea region is well known among few scientists and experts. For us it is a quite new direction aimed at increasing awareness of the international community on historic and cultural heritage of the peoples living in this region to attract foreign guests keen on discoveries and adventures and develop related infrastructure.