Forest in the desert
I have recently read an article written by a Leonid Kiashko entitled „A drop of water works miracles” published on the governmental web portal Turkmenistan.gov.tm. Its author with admiration describes the project realized for the last few years of planting hundreds of trees around Ashgabat which are permanently watered with the help of a special irrigation system.
Thousands of trees growing on the high mountain slopes around our white marble capital are the first thing that surprises and enchants guests coming to Ashgabat from remote countries. Ashgabat’s inhabitants call this forest “Gek gushak” – “the green stripe”.
Well… Mr Kiashko probably spoke only to “selected” guests from abroad. As far as I am concerned, when I saw the small trees growing on barren, arid hills I wasn’t enchanted at all, though I can’t say I wasn’t surprised. I wandered what an idiot decided to plant trees in the desert? The water that is used to keep them alive comes from the Karakum Canal, which in fact means that it is taken from the Amu Daria river. One can thus say that the trees around Ashgabat grow at the expense of the drying Aral Sea. What’s more, one day they will probably grow up. How much water will then be needed to keep them alive?
on April 15th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
For Gods sake, stop always complaining and bragging. To say something is wrong, you must also be able to answer the question ”if this is wrong, what is right then ?” …..
If you are looking for things to criticise, there are many many topics in all the world.
on April 15th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Eziz,
I can answer to your question very simply: planting trees on the desert i wrong, not planting trees on the desert is right. Desert is not a place for forests as Siberia is not a place for palms. Soviet Union tried to change the nature and you can see consequences of these attempts. Aral Sea is the best example. Try to imagine how much money it costs. I’m sure that they could be spent for better and much more useful things.
on April 19th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Maricula, planting trees anywhere in the world - be it in the desert or by the highway is never wrong. There are cities that evolved through the deserts around the world, and there is nothing wrong with cultivating natural landscapes. 10 years from now we might be drinking chai under these trees shadows
Also, let me take you back to BIO101 when we all learned that every tree is a source of fresh air - oxygen.
in any case, this idea is great, however HOW they implement the idea is a completely different issue.
Cutting water supply from villages and cities to water this, is certainly wrong.
on April 19th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Hmm,
Speaking this bull shit here is stupidest thing,
most people already now that planting is one of the 1000 stupid ideas which can b created by government.
so please maciula, or whoever you r,
best advice for ya-speak less and do more.
i know u r clever, so try ur power babe;)