Management of Coastal Areas in the Caspian Sea Region: Environmental Issues and Political Challenges

Abstract

Enclosed coastal waters are subject to deterioration and eutrophication. Caspian Sea (CS), the world's largest lake, located in western Asia, constitutes the focus of this article. The CS is possibly the world's third largest reservoir of oil and natural gas after the Persian Gulf and Russia. Hence, management of its coastal waters requires extraordinary efforts by all littoral states. Economical rivalries in the CS states have created an atmosphere of uncertainty in the future and commotion. In this article the geography, history, politics, and the environmental issues of the CS are discussed. It is concluded that future success of a sustainable coastal management scheme in this region can only be implemented with full cooperation and understanding between the countries neighboring the CS. Despite all existing differences, it is herewith submitted that sustainable growth and sound environmental plans in the coastal regions of the CS are attainable and will create unique growth opportunities for all countries bordering the CS (Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan) and countries that are located in the CS region (Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan). A sign of such cooperation has already emerged within the Caspian Environmental Programme (CEP), which initiated its activities in 1998 for the protection of the Caspian Sea marine environment and inland zone of 100 km. With the secure future of CEP, it can be a base for future agreements between the Caspian states regarding all aspects of the Caspian region.