Stalin's decision to divert water from the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers for cotton fields led to the gradual drying up of the Aral Sea, shrinking to only about 10% of its original size now.
The Aral Sea was home to a vibrant fishing community employing 40,000 people and providing 1/6th of the country's fish. The shrinking lake led to the decline of the fishing industry and fish availability.
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