Arnasai Lakes

There are so many amazing places in Uzbekistan where untouched nature has been preserved, almost in its original form. Few people know about such wonderful places and few people have been there. One of these regions is the Aidar-Arnasai lake system.

The Aidar-Arnasai lakes are located on the territory of the Jizzakh and Navoi regions of Uzbekistan and are included in the List of Ramsar Convention Wetlands. Looking at the incredibly breathtaking views of these places, it is hard to believe that it is actually located in the middle of the desert, on the Arnasai lowland: between the Hungry Steppe and the Kyzylkum desert. The Aidar-Arnasai system includes lakes Aidarkul, Tuzkan and East Arnasai lakes. The total area of the lakes is four thousand square kilometers.

The East Arnasai Lakes are located southwest of the Chardarya reservoir in the Jizzakh region. Until the 50s of the last century, there were no East Arnasai lakes, there was a dried-up salt lake, which appeared in the lowlands only in spring and disappeared again with the onset of hot weather.

The situation has changed as a result of the discharge of collector and drainage runoff from the developed lands of the Hungry Steppe and flood waters draining from the Chardara reservoir. Gradually, the Arnasai lowland began to fill up, and the Aidar basin was filled with water. This is how Lake Aydarkul appeared. In 1969, water was discharged from the Chardara reservoir and the Aidar-Arnasai lake system and Lake Tuzkan emerged.

The picturesque area has become a favorite place for fish and migratory birds. Dense thickets of reeds, turangi, cattails and tomaris can be seen along the shores of the Arnasai lakes. Dozens of birds find refuge in their thickets, including herons, croakers, spoonbills, ducks and many others.