Which country was primarily responsible for the diversion of rivers that led to the shrinking of the Aral Sea?

Uzbekistan is primarily responsible for the diversion of rivers that led to the shrinking of the Aral Sea. In the mid-20th century, the Soviet Union implemented extensive irrigation projects in the region, particularly in Uzbekistan, to support cotton production. These projects involved diverting water from the major rivers that fed the Aral Sea, specifically the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers.

As a result of these diversions, the inflow of water to the Aral Sea drastically diminished, leading to significant ecological and hydrological changes. The sea's surface area decreased dramatically, causing severe environmental issues, such as the loss of fish species, increased salinity, and devastating impacts on local communities reliant on the sea for their livelihoods.

This historical context emphasizes Uzbekistan's pivotal role in the decision-making processes regarding river management and its direct impact on the Aral Sea's hydrology. Other countries like Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan may have some involvement or consequences linked to the Aral Sea's decline, but it is Uzbekistan's actions that were central to the river diversions responsible for the drastic reduction in the sea's size.