An interview with Shahzoda Alikhanova.

Minori Kojima-Mogan

Shahzoda Alikhanova

8th August 2024

6 minutes read

Shahzoda is a second year DPhil student with ICCS. I had a chat with her to find out how she got to where she is and what her research involves.

1. How did you get into conservation?

My journey to conservation was not straightforward. It was rather a very conscious transition from a different field. My first formal education was more in engineering economics, which, as I believed, was a little dry subject. But there were reasons as to why I had “chosen” to do a degree in that particular field.

I still remember that when I was sitting in a class on environmental and resources management, I heard a professor talk about biological diversity, climate change, and planetary evolution. I knew that my passion for conservation started from there. I got more and more involved in this field and consciously chose conservation as my career path – something that I have a passion for and which makes me want to learn and excel even more every day.

2. What are you doing now with the ICCS? Tell me more about your current work.

Currently, with the ICCS, I am conducting research on the potential of nature-based solutions in the Aral Sea region of Uzbekistan. This area, once the fourth largest lake in the world, has tragically shrunk due to unsustainable water use practices, which made restoration to its original size virtually impossible. The focus has now shifted towards mitigating the multifaceted consequences of this environmental disaster.

My research aims to explore solutions that can rehabilitate the environment and alleviate the impacts of the Aral Sea’s desiccation on both the ecosystems and local communities. Specifically, I am investigating the feasibility of afforestation, which involves planting drought-tolerant shrubs on the former seabed. This approach not only addresses the ecological challenges but also aims to adapt to climate change and reduce health impacts from frequent dust storms I grew up in the area and this is a unique case of the area going from sea to desert to forest. I wanted to see how the rapid change impacted community and ecosystems, and I feel a personal responsibility to make people aware of the consequences. I feel as though many people don’t know about it I so can communicate about it through science to policy makers and people interested in conservation.

A crucial aspect of my study involves a holistic and interdisciplinary approach by incorporating societal challenges alongside ecological ones into the nature-based solutions. This innovative approach seeks to engage local communities directly in the impact evaluation chain, a strategy that has not been widely explored previously in the research area. One really interesting thing I have noticed so far is that people are starting to recognise that their wellbeing is linked with the environment.

3. Have you found any challenges in carrying out your current work?

Yes, there are challenges, particularly regarding data deficiency in the fieldwork area. The area is less explored, remote, and environmentally harsh. It had also been under certain restrictions for human access until recently. Consequently, literature on the latest developments in terms of the current environmental and socio-economic situation is insufficient. Additionally, the landscape is constantly changing due to afforestation activities, yet none of the global databases have been able to capture those changes. Essentially, I am creating my own database on that locality from scratch.

4. Are you optimistic for the future of biodiversity? Why or why not?

As an individual concerned about the environment, I maintain a cautious optimism for the future of biodiversity. While there are significant challenges facing biodiversity worldwide, including habitat loss, climate change, and unsustainable exploitation of natural resources, there are also reasons for hope. Every other global report that comes out warns us of conscious species loss and degradation of ecosystems.

However, the growing awareness of environmental issues, advancements in conservation science and technology, provide grounds for optimism. Additionally, the dedication of conservation organizations, scientists, and communities around the world to protect and restore biodiversity offers hope for positive change. However, addressing biodiversity loss requires urgent and concrete action at all levels, from local communities to global policymakers. By working together and implementing effective conservation measures, we can strive to safeguard biodiversity for future generations.

5. If you suddenly became the Prime Minister today, what is the first policy you would implement to help tackle conservation?

If I were to become Prime Minister (of, say, Uzbekistan), the first policy I would implement to tackle conservation would be to develop citizen science initiatives. This would involve engaging local communities in volunteering and participatory monitoring, thereby increasing collaboration between the general public and the scientific community. It’s also an effective way to raise awareness about ongoing local environmental issues.

For example, in many countries of the Global South, there’s a construction boom, particularly in residential housing. I would advocate for comprehensive evaluation and assessment of construction activities before granting permission to build anything in a given locality. These activities have a significant impact on local ecosystems, habitats, and biodiversity. Just a few years ago, I would wake up to the sound of birds singing in the neighbourhood, but now they are hardly heard or spotted in big cities. This decline is due to the heavy impact and disturbance of their habitats.

By involving citizens in monitoring and decision-making processes, we can ensure more sustainable development practices that prioritize the protection of biodiversity and natural habitats while also addressing local environmental concerns.

6. What do you think normal people can do to help with conservation, or is it more of a government-level issue?

Conservation is a collective responsibility that requires action at all levels. While governments play a crucial role in enacting policies, regulations, and conservation initiatives, awareness raising, individuals also have the power to make a difference in everyday actions. And I think that every major change starts with a single small step, and we, as individuals, are responsible for actions we take on an everyday basis. For example, I am talking about conscious consumption and the choices we make on a daily basis – use of plastic, owning multiple cars, and so on.

7. What is your favourite plant/animal/micro-organism?

I cannot pick a particular animal in this case, because I adore all the living creatures on the planet. But if I had to pick a plant, or rather a tree, it would be Platanus orientalis, Oriental plane. It is a large, deciduous tree with a spreading crown that grows to higher than 30 meters sometimes. It is known for its longevity, it can survive more than a century, and can also survive drought well. It is a very valued and important species in drylands – as the number of trees has decreased, the dust storms have increased, and we can see the air quality problem increasing. And it is a tree that would grow widely in the city I grew up, and it does remind me of my childhood – back when the city was green and shadowy.

Featured image “Aral Sea Bed” by upyernoz is licensed under CC BY 2.0.