UN discussed ways to overcome the negative impact of dust and sand storms
The damage from sand and dust storms is not only measured in budget losses, but also in deteriorating human health and stumbling economic development, that is particularly tangible in low-income countries. However, cooperation and exchange of information will help to minimize risks, said the participants of the UN Political Forum on the SDGs. According to the Chairman of the UN General Assembly Miroslav Lajčak, idleness in this matter is very expensive. One sandstorm could cause hundreds of millions of dollars in losses. The well-being of the population is at stake, he said. Sand and dusty mass, rising by strong winds from dry soils, lead to the growth of respiratory diseases, cardiovascular system, skin and eye diseases. Agriculture, transport and infrastructure suffer economically. But these resources, as noted by Lajčak, could be used for sustainable development. The experts says 45 countries in Central Africa, Central and East Asia, the middle East, North America and the Caribbean basin are exposed to sand and dust storms. The World Meteorological Organization of the United Nations today can warn of the oncoming sandy rain in three days. However, countries need to take measures to establish a system of information for the most vulnerable groups in order to reduce the dangerous impact on human life. Measures such as greening in areas where storms occur most often, improving storm warning systems, and sharing experiences at the inter-country level were also proposed as solutions. By the way, about greening ....As is known, in Central Asia, the Aral sea zone is a "pain point" for dust storms. And the efforts and solid experience of Turkmenistan to ensure environmental safety of the areas adjacent to the Aral sea are noteworthy. In particular, the project is underway for greening the hills of Botendag located on the eastern shore of lake Sarykamysh in Dashoguz province. The planting the territory of 20 thousand hectares with salt-resistant and soil-strengthening trees and bushes - black and white saxaul, saltwort, kandym - serve as a kind of green cordon from strong winds blowing from the Aral sea, and help to combat desertification and soil salinization.
