Almaty Residents Oppose Covering City’s Open Irrigation Canals

Almaty residents have opposed the closure of aryks, the city’s open irrigation canals, and launched a petition. They believe covering the canals with concrete slabs will create more problems for the city than benefits, Orda.kz reports, citing KTK.

About 15% of Almaty’s aryks have already been covered. Some canals were closed with concrete slabs, while others were hidden under new pedestrian zones and bike paths. Only technical hatches now show that water still flows underneath.

The akimat has previously explained that the most dangerous sections are being covered for safety reasons.

However, many Almaty residents believe this approach to urban improvement will create new problems.

I am strongly against covering the aryks. How are we supposed to see the garbage under concrete slabs? How can the sections between the hatches be properly cleaned? Garbage will pile up, it will start to smell, and rats will appear,one resident said.

Other residents fear that trees will receive less moisture without open aryks.

Trees need to be watered. There are special holes in the aryks that allow the soil to absorb water. If they need to open them later, they will have to lift the slabs and block the road. That will also create difficulties,another resident said.

Environmentalists share these concerns as well. According to Bekbergen Kerey, secretary of the Baitak green party, aryks help cool the city, provide water for birds and reduce dust in the air.

First, aryks help naturally cool and humidify the city. During global warming, covering them means we are raising the temperature with our own hands. Second, aryks provide water for birds. If birds disappear, pests will appear. Third, the smog situation will worsen,Kerey said.

The authorities disagree with these conclusions.

Open irrigation canals, known locally as aryks, are a distinctive part of Almaty. But on closer inspection, it becomes clear that this design creates real inconvenience and risks. The canals are also constantly clogged with garbage, leaves and sand, which reduces the system’s capacity and increases maintenance costs,said Shingys Bakytzhan, chief specialist at Almaty’s public space development department.

The akimat also believes that covering some aryks will not affect the city’s climate. Officials say green spaces have long been watered using modern irrigation systems.

Original author: Raushan Korzhumbekova

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