“We Are Being Asked to Approve an Illegal Project”: Environmentalists Demand Halt to Almaty Mountain Development
Photo: elements.envato.com
A press conference was held in Almaty where environmentalists and activists criticized the government’s plans to develop the city’s foothills. They said the new projects could not only damage the ecosystem, but also violate Kazakhstan’s international obligations, Orda.kz reports.
Sergey Kuratov, chairman of the Green Salvation environmental society, demanded that the government decree on the development of the Almaty mountain cluster for 2025–2029 be canceled. He called the document illegitimate, saying the authorities had ignored the opinions of experts and citizens.
We believe we are being asked to approve a project that violates national legislation and international conventions,Kuratov said.
He added that the plan contradicts the Aarhus Convention and Kazakhstan’s Environmental Code. According to Kuratov, the public should have been involved in discussing the project at a stage when it was still possible to choose the “zero option” — a complete rejection of construction for the sake of preserving nature. Instead, he said, experts’ comments were heard but not included in the final plan.
The speakers paid special attention to construction plans in the Kok-Zhailau tract. Eco-activist Tatiana Bendz said the current projects largely repeat those the public has been opposing for 10 years.
Elena Yerzakovich, a member of the Save Kok-Zhailau initiative group, referred to a strategic assessment report on adjustments to Almaty’s general plan. According to her, the document directly warns of the dangers of mountain development and recommends abandoning any projects that would damage the integrity of the ecosystem.
Experts also warned about a possible water crisis. Mountain resorts require large amounts of water for artificial snowmaking and infrastructure maintenance.
The mountain resort would use the same amount of water as a large Almaty microdistrict,Yerzakovich said.
She also asked why authorities plan to build permanent facilities on national park land if they could have an irreversible impact on melting glaciers. According to Yerzakovich, no answer was given.
Original author: Eva Golovintseva
Read also:
Latest news
- Yuan Instead of Dollars? KazMunayGas Draws Record Demand in Asia
- China Gains Oil-Market Influence as OPEC+ Weakens
- Kazakhstan to Divide Smartphones Into White, Gray and Black Lists
- Kazakhstan’s Government Formally Resigns as First Kurultai Session Opens
- Rare Lynx Sighting Recorded in Northern Kazakhstan
- Almaty Pool Serving 2,000 Athletes Faces Demolition After Neighbor’s Complaint
- Women Couriers in Kazakhstan to Receive Legal and Financial Support
- Kazakh Woman Missing Amid Deadly Nepal-China Floods
- Diamond Cheaper Than Sneakers: Confiscated Stone Sells for $47 in Almaty
- Kazakhstan Expands AI-95 and AI-98 Checks to Gas Stations and Fuel Depots
- Uzbek Professor Reportedly Detained in Astana on Espionage Suspicion
- Civil Servants to Disclose Business and Family Ties in Kazakhstan
- QR Payments and Phone Transfers Could Receive VAT Break
- Women-Only Rail Service Expands to Almaty–Tashkent Route
- Kazakhstan and Singapore Reach New Agreements
- China Could Recognize Kazakhstani Driver’s Licenses
- Kazakhstan to Review School Textbooks Over Hundreds of Errors
- New Island Emerges as Caspian Sea Levels Continue to Fall
- Refinery Finds No Problems With AI-95 or AI-98 Despite Driver Complaints
- Astana Pensioner Fined for Dropping His Pants at Prosecutor General’s Office
