Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov chaired a meeting of the Monitoring Center for the implementation of the Head of State’s initiative “Taza Kazakhstan.” Issues of greening, including the creation of forest areas and the implementation of environmental projects in the regions, were considered.

“The key principles of the Head of State’s initiative ‘Taza Kazakhstan,’ including the formation of environmental culture among the population, environmental protection and a careful attitude to nature, are enshrined in the new Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Environmental protection is not just a declaration, but a constitutional duty of each of us. It is necessary to actively use the potential of volunteer organizations and youth. Their participation will ensure continuity in fostering a careful attitude to nature. We are forming the foundation of a new environmental culture enshrined in the Constitution. A vivid example of the Head of State’s commitment to the principles of environmental restoration and preservation, as well as the development of a safe environment, is the large-scale work initiated to plant trees and improve the situation in the Aral Sea region. Saxaul plantations are currently being established there, which will serve as a barrier against salt storms and become another step toward restoring the ecosystem of the region,” Olzhas Bektenov emphasized.

Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlan Nysanbayev reported on the progress of tree planting on the territory of the national forest fund and on the dried seabed of the Aral Sea. The key role of akimats in carrying out environmental activities, landscaping territories, eliminating unauthorized landfills and involving the population in the implementation of the “Taza Kazakhstan” initiative was noted. Reports were heard from the akims of Akmola, East Kazakhstan, Kyzylorda, Mangystau regions, Ulytau region and the city of Shymkent.

According to the Ministry of Ecology, from 2021 to 2025, about 1.6 billion trees have been planted, while more than 210 million seedlings are planned for the current year. To ensure the supply of planting material, nurseries for growing seedlings are being established. In 243 forest nurseries with a total area of 2.7 thousand hectares, about 157 million seedlings are being cultivated. This year, it is planned to implement six additional projects, each with a production capacity of 6 million seedlings per year.

As part of the restoration of the Aral Sea region ecosystem, forest reclamation works have already been carried out on an area of more than 1 million hectares during 2021–2025 and are currently ongoing on an area of 165 thousand hectares. To provide scientific support, a branch of the Kazakh Research Institute of Forestry and Agroforestry has been established. A nursery is being constructed directly on the dried seabed of the Aral Sea. The establishment of the state nature reserve “Aral Ormany” is nearing completion.

The Prime Minister emphasized to state bodies and akimats the need not only to fulfill the planned targets but also to ensure a high survival rate of plantings. In this regard, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, together with akimats, was instructed to ensure the implementation of the planned planting volumes for the current year with mandatory monitoring of seedling survival. Taking into account the Year of Digitalization declared by the Head of State, it was also instructed to more actively introduce digital solutions, including remote sensing of the Earth, drones and elements of artificial intelligence. A separate task was set to complete forest reclamation works by the end of April of the current year on an area of 165 thousand hectares of the dried seabed of the Aral Sea in Kyzylorda and Turkestan regions.

Particular attention was paid to the development of a network of forest nurseries. The Prime Minister instructed to accelerate their construction in Almaty, Kostanay, Pavlodar, East Kazakhstan regions and Abai region, and to ensure the creation of a sustainable system for growing seedlings with a closed root system so that regions subsequently have a reserve of high-quality planting material.

In addition, issues of waste management were considered. To date, 185 billion tenge of preferential financing has been allocated, and 26 projects totaling more than 90 billion tenge are being implemented. Akimats were instructed to ensure the timely implementation of planned measures, as well as, together with subsoil users, to carry out greening of more than 40% of quarry territories, including within sanitary protection zones.

On 23 March, the republican campaign “Moldir Bulak” will be launched, within the framework of which it is planned to clean springs and coastal areas, as well as to conduct an inventory of more than 700 potential water bodies. The responsible body is the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation.

The meeting also reviewed preparations for the Regional Environmental Summit. It was emphasized that the event will become an important platform for the development of international cooperation in the field of ecology.

#Olzhas Bektenov #Ecology #Investments

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