Villagers Blame Factory for Livestock Deaths in East Kazakhstan

A scandal recently erupted in the picturesque village of Maraldy in the Kurshim district. Residents blame a local factory for the deaths of their livestock. They claim the animals may have been poisoned by cyanide, Orda.kz reports.

After villagers filed complaints, environmental inspectors conducted water and soil tests. Officially, no hazardous substances were detected. To prove the area was safe, officials even drank water from local springs.

The health and safety of residents, as well as protecting the interests of farms, are our top priorities. We’ve already implemented biosecurity measures, and support for affected owners is being considered, the head of the East Kazakhstan region stated.

But locals doubt the results. They say representatives of VSAM Production offered compensation for the dead livestock on the condition they “keep a low profile.”

Eight animal carcasses were found on the same day near the factory. Residents of Maraldy are convinced the cows died from cyanide poisoning. 

The facility is located on a mountain with strong winds, and the cyanide solution could have seeped into the soil, water, and grass, causing the poisoning.

To determine the cause of death, veterinarians took samples from the dead animals. But the cows were soon cremated in a mobile crematorium. The owners were not warned.

This raised suspicions among residents: are the authorities or the company trying to cover up the traces of poisoning?

For several years, residents of Maraldy have been voicing concern about the environmental situation in the area and demanding the closure of the factory that uses cyanide.

Original Author: Indira Kakimova