Ecology Ministry Opposes Transfer of Ile-Alatau National Park Land to Almaty Akimat

The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources has voiced its opposition to the proposed transfer of part of the Ile-Alatau National Park to the Almaty city administration, Orda.kz reports.

According to the current plan, a section of the national park could be handed over to the Medeu State Regional Natural Park, which operates under the Almaty Akimat. However, the Ile-Alatau National Park remains under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Ecology.

Let the Almaty Akimat manage its own national park — that’s Medeu. Therefore, there is no question here to begin with. I do not know where you got this information from, Ecology Minister Yerlan Nyssanbayev told reporters. 

He explained that while some facilities within the Ile-Alatau National Park are located in the Medeu Park territory under the proposed investment project, the overlap is minimal.

Public hearings on the project are expected to take place in spring 2025, with a final decision anticipated by May.

In the scale that’s being proposed, we are firmly against it. The park is zoned — there's a strictly protected core zone, the holy of holies, where you can't throw (garbage - Ed.) at all, a buffer zone, and a recreational zone where limited activity is permitted. We are reviewing everything based on current legislation. We are still at the consideration stage, Nyssanbayev said. 

He stressed that reducing the size of the national park could harm Kazakhstan’s international image. However, he added that the issue may be revisited if there’s a compelling need for economic development.

Original Author: Ilya Astakhov