"Resilience from Within:" How Indigenous Communities in Uzbekistan Respond to Environmental Changes and Create Pathways to Sustainability

In the drylands of Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan, the shrinking of the Aral Sea has transformed landscapes, livelihoods, and food systems. Once a thriving fishery hub, Moynuk now faces ecological degradation and food insecurity. However, Indigenous communities living in and near Moynuk have developed their own climate adaptation strategies—often with minimal external support. This blog introduces how these grassroots responses offer insights into sustainable transition pathways, intersecting SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).

Local Adaptation in a Post-Aral Landscape

The drying of the Aral Sea began in the 1960s, triggering a collapse of traditional food systems. Wild birds declined early. Fishing, central to Karakalpak identity, became difficult. Soviet interventions introduced industrial fishing, but as the lake receded, communities lost access to preferred species and began importing fish from Russia. Pastoralism also shifted. Families reduced herd sizes due to water scarcity. Camels, better suited to dry conditions, became more common—but their high cost limited adoption. Agriculture adapted too: drought-resistant crops like barley, corn, sesame, and pumpkin—once grown out of necessity—are now central to survival.
 
These transitions reflect long-term ecological change and the need for flexible, locally grounded responses. As UNEP explains, the Aral Sea disaster is one of the world’s worst environmental crises, with direct consequences for food security and water access.

Innovation from Below: Knowledge, Water, and Economic Diversification

Without sustained external support, communities relied on their own knowledge. Some individuals experimented with new crops—one woman learned online how to grow walnuts, previously unsuited to Moynuk’s climate. Others collected rainwater, stored tap water in tanks, or drilled wells where underground water was available. These practices show how SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation for all) intersects with SDG 2 and SDG 13 in dryland adaptation.

Economic diversification also emerged. Families engaged in tourism, spring healing, small businesses, and labor migration to Russia or Kazakhstan. These activities reflect the importance of SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth) and SDG 9 in building resilience.

Skepticism toward external interventions remains. While NGOs and international research collaboration from the U.S., China, and Arab countries tested new agricultural techniques, none were reported to have led to large-scale production or tangible benefits. In interviews I conducted in Moynuk, participants emphasized they already knew what crops could grow in their soil—especially in Moynuk, where salinity and dryness pose unique challenges. As the FAO’s 2024 Restoration Standards highlight, successful ecosystem restoration should have local knowledge and context-specific strategies.

Transition Pathways: Lessons for Sustainability

The experience of Karakalpakstan offers several lessons for establishing transition pathways:

• Climate adaptation is a long-term process. Communities need time—not just funding—to develop and test strategies. 
• Traditional knowledge and biodiversity must be protected. These resources become the foundation for survival. 
• Pastoralism should be re-centered in climate policy, especially in dry regions. 
• Water access shapes every aspect of food production. Strategies must integrate water management with local knowledge. 
• Local autonomy is essential. Communities must lead their own adaptation processes. External actors should support—not replace—local decision-making.

These insights align with the SDG framework but also point to its limitations. The post-2030 Agenda must support place-based, culturally grounded transition pathways. In regions like Karakalpakstan, sustainability is not a checklist—it is a lived process shaped by history, ecology, and community. 

Looking Ahead: Beyond 2030

As the 2030 Agenda approaches its deadline, Karakalpakstan offers practical lessons. Climate adaptation is not a short-term fix—it requires time, observation, and adjustment. Quick solutions are not enough; sustainable transitions need patience and continuity. 

Traditional knowledge and cultural practices play a central role. In Karakalpakstan, food production, seasonal rhythms, and community decision-making are rooted in Indigenous culture. These practices are not only heritage—they are functional systems of adaptation. Home gardens, food-sharing, and memory of past droughts all shape how people respond to stress. Cultural continuity supports flexibility and resilience. 

Pastoralism also deserves more attention. While agriculture dominates food system discussions, pastoralism may offer more sustainable options under water-scarce conditions. Supporting pastoralist practices helps communities better utilize natural resources. The FAO’s Pastoralist Knowledge Hub emphasizes pastoralism as a climate strategy rooted in mobility and land stewardship. 

Water remains central. Its availability determines what can be hunted, fished, raised, or cultivated. Climate strategies must integrate water management with ecological and cultural knowledge. 

Finally, the relationship between people, animals, and plants needs to be reconsidered. Food systems are ecological networks shaped by interdependence. In drylands, understanding this balance is key to long-term resilience. 

In Karakalpakstan, people have shown that resilience does not always come from outside. Sometimes, it grows from within—through tradition, experience, and quiet innovation.