Ecological expedition of Kokand State University students to Muynak
Today, issues such as global climate change, ensuring environmental sustainability, and increasing human responsibility toward nature are more relevant than ever. In our country, ongoing systematic reforms aimed at mitigating the consequences of the Aral Sea crisis, expanding green areas, and enhancing the tourism potential of the Aral Sea region also play an important role in educating the younger generation. With such noble goals in mind, a delegation of students from Kokand State University undertook an unforgettable eco-expedition to the Muynak district of the Republic of Karakalpakstan.
This eco-expedition is not merely a sightseeing or recreational project, but an initiative with a profound socio-educational and environmental mission. The main goal of the trip was to strengthen students’ sense of ecological responsibility, to familiarize them with the unique ecosystem of the Aral Sea region, its nature and rich cultural heritage, as well as to directly observe the global greening efforts being implemented on the dried seabed of the Aral Sea.
“The Aral Sea disaster is not only a regional but also a global environmental issue. We aim not to limit our students’ knowledge to classroom learning, but to instill in them a real sense of responsibility toward their country and nature. The trip to Muynak became a true life lesson for our team,” said Asrorjon Mahmudjonov, Head of the Youth Affairs and Spiritual-Educational Department of the university.
The program of the trip was rich and well-organized. Students first visited one of the most symbolic sites of Muynak district — the “Ship Cemetery” on the shore of the former Aral Sea. The sight of large rusted ships standing in sand and salt flats where the sea once existed left a deep impression on the participants, allowing them to experience a visual contrast between the past and the present.
Afterwards, the group visited the Muynak District History and Aral Sea Museum, where unique exhibits, photographs, and artworks provided detailed insights into the region’s prosperous past, the fishing industry, and the subsequent environmental crisis.
Student Sobirjon Saburov stated: “We had read a lot about Muynak, but seeing it with our own eyes is completely different. Standing on the dried seabed, I truly understood the importance of protecting nature. We, the youth, must effectively use scientific advancements to solve environmental problems in the future.”
The eco-expedition of Kokand State University students to Muynak has become one of the exemplary initiatives in developing domestic tourism within higher education institutions and enhancing students’ patriotic and ecological awareness. Preserving our homeland, supporting unique regions such as the Aral Sea area, and living in harmony with nature is a shared responsibility of all of us.
