(JOURNEYMAN PICTURES) For decades, the Aral Sea has been described as dying and beyond salvation. But now, the water is flowing back, bringing economic revival and hope for the future. Fifty years ago, the Soviets diverted the rivers that fed into the Aral Sea to irrigate crops. The sea shrunk to half its size, salinity increased, the natural ecosystem collapsed and people moved away in search of jobs. But now, thanks to a new dam, water levels have risen by 4 meters. People are returning in the hope the sea will make a full recovery. As one man states; “If the sea comes back, life will change for the better.”
