After Outcry Over Altyn-Emel, Stretch of Highway Cleared of Garbage

After Orda.kz published its report “A Place to Be Ashamed Of” about the condition of the road leading to Altyn-Emel National Park, the authorities responded quickly, Orda.kz reports. The original publication showed piles of garbage along the route, a lack of bins and toilets, and complaints from activists about the absence of basic infrastructure on the pass.

The reason for the publication was a video by eco-activists in the Zhetysu region. The footage showed mountains of garbage along the roadside, with some sections effectively turning into illegal dumps. According to the activists, despite the steady flow of tourists and the presence of roadside cafes, the pass lacked even basic facilities such as bins, toilets and equipped water sources.

The publication triggered a public outcry. The akimat of the Kerbulak district said the owners of a roadside cafe had been warned and promised to clean the area. The Zhetysu regional police department also said two local residents had been held liable for polluting public areas and violating improvement rules.

As a result, the area at the 65th kilometre of the Altyn-Emel pass on the Saryozek-Koktal highway was cleared. According to the regional akimat, the site was cleaned with the help of special equipment and brought into proper condition.

Original author: Sandugash Duisenova

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