As a center of global biodiversity the Aral Sea basin is comparable with such unique reservoirs as the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal and Great African lakes. However, where African lakes are declared national monuments, and Baikal and the northern part of the Caspian Sea are conservancy areas, the Aral Sea is a zone of environmental disaster. The lakes biodiversity of the Syr Darya delta is a unique ecosystem and a place for concentration of 30 species of primarily indigenous fishes; 12 species of mammals and more than 300 species of birds. The freshwater lakes of the delta attracted huge numbers of migrant waterfowl and other shore birds. The delta and the eastern Aral coast supported numerous colonies of pelicans, cormorants and various gulls. The most part of the biodiversity is in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan.
One of the key elements in the process of biodiversity loss is the prolonged selectivity of anthropogenic initiatives. Intensive and targeted fishing of some species can result in an increase in the number of others, and shooting of certain bird species creates a threat to the wetland biodiversity. Any decline in the genetic diversity of the fish and bird populations will result in a significant imbalance in wetland ecosystem.
The environmental problems of recent years have been aggravated by an economic crisis in the areas surrounding the wetlands. As a result of total unemployment, and the suspension of industrial activity and factory work, the economic income of the residents depends mainly on the railway and any fishing which is conducted in the 13 delta lakes. There are 68,497 residents in Aralsk District. 14,973 of these people live in 30 settlements directly adjacent to the delta lakes. The anthropogenic impact on the lakes is so great, and the current fishing rate so intensive, that the near future will most certainly bring significant environmental problems. This situation would result in the decrease and ultimate disappearance of rare bird and fish species of extreme natural value to the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Since the population?s current economic income is mainly derived from fishing, it is necessary to urgently introduce techniques and methods of food production which would provide for the needs of the community, while also protecting the crucial biodiversity of the region.

The project is aimed at environmental conservation and the restoration of biodiversity in the Syr Darya River delta and lakes through: 1) developing a special mode for the utilization of the bioresources of the delta lakes to ensure the conservation and subsequent regeneration of suppressed species; 2) decreasing the anthropogenic impact on the lakes by encouraging fishermen, through improved infrastructure provision, to fish on the Small Aral Sea; 3) changing local community attitudes toward the delta lake ecosystems through public information and involvement in the project.

Expected outcomes:
1. Determination of the most important habitats for rare species and the places of main concentration of migrant waterfowl. Elaboration of priority measures for avoidance of the negative impact of fishing on these territories.
2. Development and implementation of the program to gradually transfer trade fisheries from the delta lakes to the northern and western water areas of the Small Aral Sea.
3. In collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Protection of Environment and its regional structures, development of the Statute on Regulation and Rational Utilization of the Bioresources of Aralsk District.
4. Implementation of a set of measures aimed at raising the local population's awareness of a global significance of the wetland "The Syr Darya Delta and Adjacent Water Area of the Small Aral Sea" wetlands.