The progress of the Zhasyl Kazakhstan National Project was discussed at the Government session chaired by Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov. The Minister of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources Serikkali Brekeshev was the keynote speaker on the topic.

Beginning his speech, the Head of Ministry of Ecology noted that the Zhasyl Kazakhstan National Project is aimed at creating a favorable living environment for the population and improving the environmental situation in the country. The project includes 4 directions, 11 tasks, 19 indicators and 48 measures.

In 2021, 89.3 billion tenge were provided for implementation of the objectives of the National project, including 27.6 billion tenge were allocated from the national budget, 15 billion tenge from the local budget and 46.7 billion tenge from extra-budgetary funds. This year about 161 billion tenge is envisaged for implementation of the measures of the national project.

The main indicators on the results of 2021 were achieved. According to the operative data for the 1st half of this year, the declared indicators are also achieved. One indicator on reduction of volume of fresh water intake in industry was not achieved due to weak implementation by industrial enterprises of mechanisms of recycling and reuse of water supply.

"The atmospheric air quality improvement target calls for a 20% reduction in emissions at 16 major industrial enterprises over 5 years in 10 major cities. For 2021, the 16 enterprises actually emitted 655,000 tons of pollutants into the ambient air, 3% below the 2020 level with a limit of 803,800 tons. During the first 6 months of this year the emissions of enterprises were 293.2 thousand tons, which is 6.7% lower than in the same period of 2021," Brekeshev said.

The indicator was reached due to the environmental measures and improvement of the equipment reliability. For this purpose the enterprises allocated 15.4 billion tenge of their own funds.

In particular, the Steel Department of ArcelorMittal Temirtau JSC reconstructed the dust-cleaning equipment of the sinter hoppers and repaired the electric filters of the boiler units. This made it possible to reduce emissions by 1.1 thousand tons. Works on reconstruction of the gas exhaust duct of the sintering zone of sintering machines with installation of electrostatic precipitators and reconstruction of dust-cleaning equipment of the limestone crushing building were started. The works will be completed this year. On the whole, the enterprise is forecasted to decrease to 30% by 2025.

The Almaty CHP-2 is planned to be converted to gas. This will reduce pollutant emissions by 80% by 2025.

At Atyrau Oil Refinery, works are carried out on fine purification of flue gases of catalytic cracking and amine treatment of fuel gas at the facilities, which will reduce pollutant emissions by 3.6%. Overall, a 9.1% reduction is planned through 2030.

In the field of waste management the National Project includes 3 indicators and 16 measures. In order to achieve indicators on the share of recycling and disposal of municipal and industrial waste brought into compliance with environmental standards 639 landfills out of 3005. 3,876 containers for separate collection were purchased and installed. 870,000 tons of granulated slag in the Zhambyl region were recycled. A construction waste storage and recycling site was built in Nur-Sultan. In Pavlodar region, there are activities aimed at localization of historical mercury pollution of the Bylkyldak lake area.

The Minister of Ecology drew attention to the fact that the regions lack a comprehensive vision of the current situation in waste management and systematic planning of the industry, taking into account the waste hierarchy. In this regard, according to the proposal of the Ministry of Ecology, Akimats should develop a program for municipal waste management, which should take into account the whole system of waste management in a particular region and should be developed taking into account territorial features of the region.

As part of the task of preserving the ecosystems of water bodies in the country, as well as increasing productivity through the economical use of water, work on modernization of canals, including those in the basin of Lake Balkhash, was carried out. 50 km of the Syrdarya River were cleaned.

"In 2021, digitalization of water accounting of 22 canals was carried out. This year we plan to digitalize 89 canals," Brekeshev said.

Due to the implementation of these measures, an inflow to Lake Balkhash of at least 12 km3/year has been ensured, the volume of the Northern Aral Sea has been maintained at 20.6 km3 , water losses during irrigation have been reduced by 200 million m3 , and an additional 230 million m3 of water has been accumulated.

Also for the conservation of the Northern Aral Sea the feasibility study of the Regional Development and Rehabilitation of the Northern Aral Sea project is under development. Cleaning of Lake Shalkar in Aktobe region is also under way.

In order to preserve biodiversity, the national project includes 3 objectives, including 3 indicators and 8 measures. In order to restore and preserve the ecosystems and natural complexes of the Ulytau mountain-steppe massif, the Ulytau National Park was created on the instruction of the Head of State with an area of 58,900 hectares.

Within the framework of the commission of the Head of State to plant 2 billion trees, the regional akimats approved comprehensive plans for reforestation and reproduction of forests, an interactive map was created and the appropriate equipment and machinery was purchased.

In 2021, 138 mln trees were planted on the area of 66 thousand ha with the plan of 44,3 thousand ha. This year, during the spring planting of 106.4 million trees on an area of 39 thousand hectares of the planned 66.9 thousand hectares of trees were planted. The implementation of the main volume of silvicultural works is planned for the autumn period.

"Also, in order to improve the environmental situation in the Aral Sea region, last year we planted 100 thousand hectares of saxaul plantations. This year it is planned to plant 250 thousand hectares. In the spring of this year 12 thousand hectares were planted. The main work on the area of 238.0 thousand hectares will be carried out in the fall. Indicators will be met in full," Serikkali Brekeshev assured.

In 2021, an inventory of the survival rate of forest crops was carried out across the republic. According to the results of the autumn inventory rooting rate of forest crops was almost 72%. The normative survival rate is secured.

The Head of the Ministry of Ecology also noted that this year no funding for the planned work according to the approved integrated plans in the Aktobe and West Kazakhstan region, which can lead to failure to execute orders of the President.

In the direction of Ecology bolashagy in 2021 a new course on ecology in the 6th grade of secondary school was introduced. The methodology on organization of ecological and biological additional education objects is developed taking into account the best international practices. This year, it is planned to hold an annual national The Best Eco-Education Organization contest.

In order to increase the number of citizens covered by the environmental information campaign with the support of the UN PAGE program, the Concept of the National Media Plan for increasing the environmental culture was developed. The Concept provides a step-by-step methodology for organizing an information and awareness-raising campaign to form an eco-oriented public opinion.

Brekeshev drew attention to the fact that since Jan. 1 of this year, the Budget Code has imposed a provision of 100% of funds received from environmental fees to be spent only on environmental activities. However, in a number of regions, financing of environmental measures is significantly lower than funds coming from environmental payments for emissions. In this regard, local executive bodies should first of all approve plans for environmental protection in the region. Secondly, it is necessary to ensure that local budget funds are spent in full in accordance with these plans. These funds can be used for the implementation of activities of the national project.