East Kazakhstan Region: Environmental Protection Bureau to be Established

How the Oskemen authorities will improve the environmental situation in the city, explained the akim of the East Kazakhstan Region Yermek Kosherbayev, Orda.kz reports.

Kosherbayev explained that Oskemen is an industrial city, so the problem has deep historical roots. Currently, local industries release approximately 49,000 tons of emissions into the air.

In addition to industrial emissions, climate, and human activity contribute to the city's pollution. Motor vehicles and using stoves for heating in private homes also deteriorate air quality.

The largest portion of emissions comes from industrial enterprises (Kazzinc), which contributes 23,000 tons, and Oskemen CHPP adding about 14,000 tons. However, to better understand the situation, we’ve decided to implement a city-wide monitoring system for the surrounding basin. This will allow us to collect clear pattern and data on the environmental dynamics in Oskemen. At this stage, we cannot influence the climate or relocate the historical industrial sites. Some people suggest that these enterprises should be shut down, but this is clearly a populist stance,said Kosherbayev. 

Kosherbayev emphasized that enterprises should install modern emission control and prevention systems.

The Akimat collects around four billion tenge in taxes from these enterprises, which will finance environmental activities. To oversee these efforts, the region plans to establish an environmental protection bureau, a public organization that will address all ecological concerns.

Together with the public, we will decide where these necessary devices should be installed. Currently, out of 22 enterprises that require emission sensors, seven large ones have already installed them. We will continue to push for the remaining enterprises to follow suit and install sensors. If they fail to do so, we will take the matter to courthe added. 

Also, according to him, the prosecutor's office and other government agencies are currently inspecting the activities of Kazzinc LLP.

Kosherbayev pledged to publish the results.

Original Author: Ilya Astakhov