Kazakhstan Declares Kentau Industrial Zone an Ecological Disaster Area Until 2075

The Kentau industrial zone, covering 900 hectares, has been officially designated an ecological disaster zone until January 1, 2075, according to an order signed by Kazakhstan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Orda.kz reports.

Established in 2018 as the Brownfield KENTAU industrial zone, the area was developed for production and granted tax benefits to businesses operating there. However, in just seven years, the environmental situation has deteriorated significantly.

Under the new order, the Akimat of the Turkistan region is required to implement a range of strict measures:

• Introduce special entry and exit protocols and restrict traffic within the disaster zone
• Ban the expansion or construction of any enterprises not directly involved in resolving the ecological emergency or maintaining essential public services
• Relocate residents from the area, providing them with temporary or permanent housing
• Shut down environmentally hazardous facilities
• Suspend operations of all cultural and recreational establishments in the zone

Local authorities are also tasked with developing a comprehensive action plan to address and improve the environmental crisis.

Previously, those working in or required to visit the Kentau industrial zone were offered a 20% wage increase due to the hazardous conditions.

Original Author: Alexandra Mokhireva