"Train to the Aral Sea": Youth Environmental Action in the Heart of the Aral Sea Region
From May 21 to 24, 2026, the Republic of Karakalpakstan hosted the annual large-scale youth environmental campaign "Train to the Aral Sea" and the eco-marathon "We are together with Aral". The event aimed to draw attention to the ecological issues of the Aral Sea region, promote the tourism potential of the area, and develop domestic tourism in Uzbekistan.
A total of 450 young, active, and initiative-driven boys and girls from the city of Tashkent and various regions of Uzbekistan visited the city of Nukus, as well as the Amudarya, Kegeyli, Karauzyak, and Chimbay districts of Karakalpakstan, where they explored tourist, cultural, and pilgrimage sites.
As part of the trip, the youth visited one of the renowned cultural heritage sites of our country that attracts interest from both domestic and international tourists — the historical monument "Shylpyk." At the site of the monument, a competition for young artists was held, dedicated to the historical, cultural, and natural wealth of the region.
Environmental campaigns and activities focused on greening areas aimed at fostering a respectful attitude towards the environment and raising awareness of ecological issues in the Aral Sea region. The participants of the campaign visited the International Innovation Center of the Aral Sea region in the city of Nukus with great interest, where they explored the exhibition dedicated to the ecological issues of the region and the preservation of its natural heritage.
One of the highlights of the program was the demonstration of the process of setting up a traditional Karakalpak yurt. Participants had a unique opportunity to see how this symbol of ethnographic tourism is created, reflecting the national traditions and way of life of the people.
The youth visited the I.V. Savitsky State Museum of Arts and the State Museum of History and Culture of Karakalpakstan, where they explored unique works of art and examples of the national cultural heritage of the Aral Sea region. This experience allowed them to gain a deeper understanding of the uniqueness and diversity of Karakalpak culture.
The "Train to Aral Sea" project has become an important step in the development of ecological tourism in Uzbekistan. It seamlessly combines environmental protection activities with cultural education, engaging young people in the study and preservation of the unique Aral Sea region.
Such initiatives help familiarize youth with the unique tourist routes of Karakalpakstan, increase interest in traveling to various regions of the country, and foster a sense of responsibility towards environmental conservation among the younger generation.
