The Lake Aral Afforestation Project has reached a defining milestone. Following unanimous support from government bodies, scientific institutions, and local communities, the project has moved into active implementation, and saxaul planting on the former Aral Sea bed began on 25 March 2026.
Green.Earth team members ready for planting sessions at the project site.
On 27 February 2026, more than 38 participants gathered in Kyzylorda for a major stakeholder consultation meeting. Representatives from the Kyzylorda Region Akimat, the Forestry Department, and the Water Inspection joined researchers from Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University and the Kyzylorda State Saxaul Nursery. Community elders, local business representatives, and women's organisations from the Aral region were also present, alongside project partners including the Biodiversity Conservation Fund of Kazakhstan (BCFK). The session was a vital step in gathering external feedback and ensuring alignment with scientific and community standards.
The breadth of participation reflects the scale of what this project represents for the region. All parties expressed unanimous support for the project's launch, a strong foundation for the decades of work ahead.
Read more: Green Earth advances Lake Aral afforestation efforts in Kazakhstan
With land-use rights secured and stakeholder alignment confirmed, Phase 1 is now underway. The first 530 hectares of saxaul (Haloxylon ammodendron), equal to over 200,000 trees, have been planted directly on the former seabed—land characterised by extreme salinity and near-constant exposure to sand and dust storms.
Saxaul is one of the few tree species capable of surviving these conditions. Its deep root systems stabilise the soil, suppress dust, and gradually rebuild the ecological structure of a landscape that has been deteriorating for decades.
Saxaul specimens planted on the former Aral Sea bed.
The project integrates advanced monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) technologies to track ecosystem recovery with precision. This infrastructure is built into the project from the outset, ensuring that every hectare planted is accounted for and that progress is documented rigorously over the project's lifespan.
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Phase 1 is the first step in a programme designed to scale significantly over the coming decade. The project directly supports Kazakhstan's national Green Economy transition and the presidential initiative to plant 2 billion trees across the country, placing it at the intersection of ecological restoration and national policy.
Green.Earth team member selecting Saxaul specimens for planting.
For the communities of the Aral region, the impact is both environmental and economic. Phase 1 is expected to create between 35 and 45 new jobs, with long-term ambitions for up to 400 seasonal positions as the project grows.
Green.Earth team ready for the planting session.
The Lake Aral Afforestation Project is one of Green Earth's most ambitious undertakings. What begins with hundreds of hectares today is the foundation for restoring one of the most ecologically damaged landscapes on Earth. Discover how your company can contribute to and benefit from nature restoration projects.
