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Kazakhstan to Create Horse Breeding Institute

Kazakhstan’s President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has directed the government to establish and fund a Horse Breeding Institute to boost the horse population and advance the breeding of traditional Kazakh breeds. Speaking at the inaugural Forum of Agricultural Workers of Kazakhstan, Tokayev highlighted the steady growth in the country’s horse population. According to the Bureau of National Statistics, as of January 1, Kazakhstan had 4 million horses—a 5.4% increase from the previous year. This number has since risen to 4.2 million. However, only 1% of the total population comprises purebred horses, with approximately 40,000 being thoroughbreds. Tokayev stressed the importance of prioritizing the breeding and development of thoroughbred horses alongside overall population growth. “I instruct the government to create the Institute of Horse Breeding. The issue of its establishment has long been raised by experts. Relevant authorities must urgently address this matter and identify funding sources for the institute,”said Tokayev. The president underscored the significance of several horse breeds in Kazakhstan’s cultural and historical heritage. The Jabe breed, for instance, has a history deeply intertwined with the lives of the Kazakh people, spanning thousands of years. Known for its resilience in harsh environments, the Jabe was historically used as a draft animal, as well as a source of meat and milk. Modern Kazakhstan is also home to other notable breeds, including the Kostanai, Kushum, and Imugaljar breeds, which were developed locally. Tokayev also praised the Adai breed, calling it a “priceless treasure of Mangystau.” He recounted his earlier directive to promote this breed globally. “Today, the Adai breed has received official recognition and represents our country proudly in races and competitions,” he noted. However, he expressed concern over the dwindling population of the Kostanai horse, with only 280 remaining. “The key task, alongside increasing the horse population, is to enhance their breeding and productive qualities,” Tokayev concluded. In November 2022, during a public meeting in Mangystau, Tokayev recognized the Adai horse as a unique asset of the region. He instructed the government to begin work on achieving scientific recognition for the Adai as an independent breed and to ensure its reproduction as a breeding animal. By January 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Justice awarded the Association of Legal Entities and Individual Entrepreneurs “Adai Breed of Horse” a certificate granting exclusive rights to use the Adai horse brand. Kazakhstan has also taken legislative steps to protect and preserve its domestic breeds. A law passed in the summer of 2024 facilitates the acquisition of foreign sport stallions by local breeding centers, supports selective breeding efforts, and reimburses related expenses. This law aims to foster the development of Kazakh sport horse breeds and promote traditional equestrian sports, including kokpar, audaryspak, zhambi atu, and tenge alu. The law also establishes strict compliance standards for horse breeding. Only purebred animals that meet the breed standard and are registered under Kazakhstan’s livestock legislation are classified as breeding animals. Experts, however, have advocated for the creation of an independent institute to oversee compliance and enhance...

1 week ago

Scientists Investigate Deaths of 1,000 Caspian Sea Seals

More than 1,000 seal carcasses have washed ashore along a stretch of the Caspian Sea coast in the last month, according to the Kazakh government. The mass death of seals in the area has previously been reported, and similar events have occurred over the years. But new data from the Ministry of Agriculture reveals the large scale of the latest losses as scientists study tissue samples taken from the carcasses to find out why the seals died. “The Fisheries Committee suggests that natural phenomena, including natural gas emissions caused by underwater earthquakes, might be the reason behind the deaths,” the ministry said on Thursday. “Final conclusions regarding the causes of the seal deaths will be determined after laboratory tests are completed, which, according to scientific organizations, will take 3–4 months.” Fisheries officials discovered 1,034 seal carcasses along the coast in the Tupkaragan district of the Mangystau region of western Kazakhstan between Oct. 24 and Nov. 13, according to the ministry. So far, tests of tissue samples are negative for a number of infectious diseases. Kazakh officials attributed the deaths of nearly 200 seals in late 2022 to pneumonia, while noting that environmental pollution in the Caspian Sea had made their immunity systems more vulnerable to infectious diseases. Concerns about the impact of oil extraction, industrial waste and other environmental damage on the sea’s ecoystem are increasing. Scientists have recorded mass deaths of seals in the Caspian Sea for more than two decades. In 2000, the deaths of about 10,000 seals was attributed to chronic toxicosis.

1 week ago

China Sports life and culture Lifestyle Freeview Fridays Silk Road Treasures

My First International Competition – Anara Ashimova, Silver Medalist in Shaolin Wushu

I was never a big sports person, but working at the computer and not moving much eventually made me realize I needed some kind of physical activity to cheer myself up and to recharge my body. After all, I wanted to be healthy and active in my maturity - I don’t want to call it old age. I had doubts about my physical abilities, but I was resolute, so I decided to go for a sport with exercises that are possible for and improve the health of people of age. Therefore, I took up the sport of Wushu, starting in a large group under the guidance of Gaini Kypshakbai, a master of the art. The first few months were challenging, but I slowly developed new skills. A lot of people quit during this time, and eventually only three of us were left in the group. Gradually, I developed an obsession with the classes as a way to strengthen my body and spirit. Our coach, Gaini, deserves a separate piece to be written about her for her patience and mentoring, but for now, I will just say that I'm grateful and full of respect for her. Laoshi (coach in Chinese) Gaini gently introduced us to the Tai Chi community, an association of enthusiasts who are passionate about what they do. In my third year of classes, I wanted to broaden my horizons, watch the masters, and show off my modest skills. So, after participating in the Championship for the Republic of Kazakhstan, we went to China for The 13th Zhengzhou China International Shaolin Wushu Competition. [caption id="attachment_25561" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Team Kazakhstan; image: A.Ashimova[/caption] Our team consisted of twelve people of different ages ranging from 30 to 65; it was the first international competition for all of us. Some of us were leaving Kazakhstan for the first time, but I'd been to Urumqi 20 years before. Everything that awaited us upon our arrival in China impressed and delighted us. The first thing that pleased me was how clean and organized everything was. People were friendly and willing to help, and, most importantly, it was completely safe. The cities we visited were very green with beautiful trees and lots of flowers; the parks were well-maintained, and the air was clean and fresh. Almost every city had the same level of population as Kazakhstan, but it never felt crowded. Everything was organized, clear, and accessible. For us, the myth that the Chinese do not speak English was also dispelled. If we encountered a language barrier, it was easily overcome by modern online translators. The youth of China were very bright, independent, and open. The Opening Ceremony of the festival was an indescribable delight. The small town of Danfeng welcomed us alongside representatives of 65 schools of Tai Chi. The competition was a festival celebrating the different styles of Wushu. We couldn’t contain our excitement as we took pictures on our smartphones and greeted the young athletes from the windows of the bus as thirty-five...

1 week ago

Turkmenistan and UK Strengthen Cooperation in Education

The Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan hosted a meeting between Deputy Minister Azat Ataev and Sarah Chidgey, Regional Export Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, to discuss prospects for educational cooperation between Turkmenistan and the UK. Ms. Chidgey shared insights into the UK's experience in delivering quality education, citing successful examples in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, where British universities, such as the University of Westminster, have actively sought to expand partnerships. During the meeting, the participants explored opportunities for British universities to offer educational services in Turkmenistan, including the accreditation of academic institutions to enhance secondary and higher education. Chidgey announced plans to hold the Turkmen-British Trade and Industry Council early next year, with educational cooperation set to be a key topic. The British delegation also expressed its readiness for more in-depth discussions at the World Education Forum, held annually in London. Ataev expressed interest in implementing the proposed initiatives and supported organizing webinars for Turkmen specialists. These webinars will focus on introducing Turkmen specialists to British educational standards and accreditation procedures and enhancing education quality. He emphasized that particular attention would be given to studying critical aspects of the British educational system to facilitate their successful adaptation and implementation in Turkmenistan. Both sides expressed confidence that this partnership would contribute to developing Turkmenistan's education system and creating new opportunities for students and teachers. In the long term, it is expected to support their integration into the global educational community. Great Britain actively cooperates with Central Asian countries in the field of education: Kazakhstan has the Kazakh-British Technical University, founded in 2001, which offers programs in partnership with British universities, and British universities are opening branches in Uzbekistan, giving local students access to British education. The British Council also runs the region's English language training and teacher development programs. In 2024, the British Foreign Secretary announced a new initiative to promote English in Central Asia by giving teachers access to online resources with local content.

2 weeks ago

Coup attempt Law and Order

Food Catering for Rioters? Alleged Signs of a Coup Plot in Kyrgyzstan

One grenade, a pistol, several drones, vodka to get would-be rioters drunk, one ton of rice and one horse for slaughter. These were among the tools that a band of half a dozen alleged plotters, including Kyrgyzstan’s former deputy prosecutor general, planned to deploy in order to foment chaos and violently seize power, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The suspects’ plan was to hold a sports event along with other competitions on the outskirts of Bishkek, ply spectators with alcohol and food and then rile them up on Nov. 17, when local elections are held, the ministry said. Whatever the chances of success of such an alleged coup plot, the charges against the group are severe and have been rolled out in other instances by a government whose opponents say is intent on snuffing out perceived threats to stability, at the expense of free expression and other rights. Kyrgyzstan has experienced periodic political upheavals over the years. President Sadyr Japarov himself came to power in one of those chaotic events, winning election in 2021 after being released from jail by protesters just months earlier. Japarov had been in a cell for kidnapping, a conviction that he said was politically motivated. He has sometimes warned of the perils of “anarchy” in Kyrgyzstan; critics fear a slide toward authoritarianism. Earlier this week, media organizations in Kyrgyzstan reported that Kuban Adyl uulu, a former top prosecutor who was dismissed in April, was arrested and will be held in pretrial detention until Jan. 10. The government described him as the “main organizer” of the coup plot “whose tasks included financial support, communication with law enforcement agencies, transmission of information obtained about their actions, distribution of roles and coordination during mass riots and seizure of power.” Adyl uulu was among seven people, including several foreign nationals, who were arrested, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said. One of the foreigners allegedly participated in military operations in another country, a possible reference to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. “The group had 1,000 bottles of vodka to get the crowd drunk, 2,000 bottles of mineral water, 1 ton of rice, 1 horse for slaughter, and food for cooking pilaf for the participants in the mass riots confiscated from the warehouse,” the ministry said. It said charges including plans to incite riots and resist government officials by force were based on evidence, including the grenade, the pistol, several drones, a thermal imager and other items. If convicted, the suspects could face long prison terms. Adyl uulu had been fired as part of a reshuffle of the leadership, including anti-corruption officers, in the prosecutor general’s office that was ordered by Japarov. At the time of his dismissal, there was no mention of his alleged involvement in a possible coup plot. Instead, the president had reprimanded the prosecutor general and the natural resources minister over the alleged interference of subordinates in the activities of the ministry’s licensing commission. On Wednesday, Russia weighed in on the alleged coup plot in...

2 weeks ago