THE CONCEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MIGRATION ITS TYPES AND SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS

This article examines the concept of environmental migration, its types, and key characteristics within the context of global and regional environmental change. It highlights the interdisciplinary nature of the phenomenon, which lies at the intersection of ecology, sociology, demography, and international law. Particular attention is given to Central Asia, where environmental degradation, water scarcity, and land salinization - especially in the Aral Sea region - serve as major drivers of population displacement. The study analyzes different forms of environmental migration, including climate migration, disaster-induced displacement, slow-onset migration, and planned relocation, emphasizing their multifactorial nature and close interaction with socio-economic conditions. It also explores the distinction between environmental migrants and refugees, underlining the gaps in international legal frameworks