Dengizkul – the sea inside the lake

Dengizkul is a unique drainless lake located in the Alat district of the Bukhara region and has important ecological significance. In 2001, the Ramsar Convention included the lake in the List of Wetlands of International Importance.

The total area of Dengizkul is forty thousand hectares, and it is located in a closed, lowered land surface, at an altitude of more than 181 meters above sea level. Although the lake does not have a permanent coastline, its wetlands are an important habitat for representatives of flora and fauna. Waterfowl nest on the lake: pelicans, spoonbills, small cormorants. More than five thousand endangered savka ducks stay here for the winter

Lake Dengizkul was known as early as the 10th century. It was mentioned by the Arab traveler Ibn Hawkal, who called the reservoir the "Bukhara Lake." It is also mentioned by the historian Muhammad Narshahi, who noted its width of 140-160 kilometers. In the 20th century, Dengizkul was actively replenished due to the water flowing from the fields. During the period of active flooding, the lake reaches the Zeravshan River.

The water in the lake has healing properties, has a unique composition and a fairly high concentration of salt. There are deposits of table salt at the bottom, so the lake has the name "Dengizkul", which means dengiz – sea and kul – lake.

Currently, the government is actively discussing the future of Dengizkul in order to develop tourism infrastructure in the coastal areas and improve the coastal area. In particular, decisions were made to carry out large-scale work on the creation of tourist facilities and recreation areas. After all, Lake Dengizkul is a whole sea with high waves and salt water, it is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in Central Asia.