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Kazakhstan Restores Populations of Przewalski’s Horse, Turanian Tiger, and Snow Leopard

Kazakhstan is making significant strides in wildlife conservation, actively restoring populations of Przewalski’s horse, the Turanian tiger, and the snow leopard. These efforts mark a major step toward reintroducing species that were once native to the region but had either disappeared or faced severe population declines. Hungary Supports Reintroduction of Przewalski’s Horse Kazakhstan is continuing its ambitious program to restore endangered species, including Przewalski’s horse, a once-dominant species of the Kazakh steppes that vanished from the wild in the 1960s. Thanks to international conservation programs, their numbers have been preserved in captivity, and now efforts are underway to return them to their natural habitat. As part of this initiative, Hungary will provide 150 Przewalski’s horses, which will be released into Kazakhstani nature reserves, Hungarian Minister of Agriculture István Nagy announced. “This step will increase safety for this horse species in case of disease outbreaks,” Nagy stated. The first seven horses have already been brought from the Prague Zoo to the Altyn Dala Reserve in Kazakhstan’s Kostanay region. Reintroducing the Turanian Tiger In parallel, Kazakhstan continues its efforts to bring back the Turanian tiger, a subspecies that disappeared from the region 70 years ago. To support this initiative, the government has established the Ile-Balkhash Nature Reserve, which now serves as a habitat for key prey species. To date, the reserve has received 205 riparian deer and more than 100 kulans. Authorities have also increased the populations of roe deer and wild boars, ensuring an adequate food supply for the tigers. In fall 2023, two tigers from the Netherlands arrived at the reserve, and another three to four animals from Russia are expected to be introduced soon. Snow Leopard Population Doubles Kazakhstan has also made remarkable progress in snow leopard conservation. According to Daniyar Turgambayev, chairman of the Forestry and Wildlife Committee of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the number of snow leopards in the country has now reached 180 individuals, double the population recorded in the 1990s. “Specially protected natural areas covering 3.6 million hectares have been established in key snow leopard habitats. Currently, about 70% of their range is under official protection,” Turgambayev stated. The government has deployed photo traps and satellite telemetry to monitor the snow leopard population. Eleven leopards have been fitted with satellite collars, allowing researchers to track their movements and adaptation to the wild. Expanding Protected Areas Since gaining independence, Kazakhstan has dramatically expanded its protected natural areas, from 869,000 hectares to 30.9 million hectares. This expansion has not only helped revive endangered species but also significantly strengthened overall biodiversity protection. With an integrated approach to conservation, Kazakhstan has positioned itself as a leader in Central Asia in the reintroduction of endangered species and the preservation of natural ecosystems.

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Kyrgyzstan’s Largest Gold Deposit: Environmental Disaster on the Horizon?

Concerns over a potential environmental catastrophe at the Kumtor mine, Kyrgyzstan’s largest gold deposit, have gained traction following a recent statement by Adilet Usupbaev, an ecologist from the National Academy of Sciences. According to Usupbaev, a waste dump at the high-altitude mine is shifting toward the Kumtor River, which feeds into the Naryn River and, eventually, the Syr Darya River, raising fears of severe contamination if waste reaches the waterway. Ecologist Raises Alarm in Parliament Speaking in Parliament, Usupbaev explained that waste rock dumps, formed as a byproduct of mining operations, are gradually shifting. While several such dumps exist at Kumtor, one in particular is now edging closer to the Kumtor River. “If the dump reaches the Kumtor River, it will be a disaster. We need urgent measures to stop its movement, planting Caragana shrubs, for instance. As an experiment, we planted them in the area, and they took root. The shrubbery won’t stop the dump entirely, but it’s at least an attempt,” Usupbaev said. He warned that waste accumulation at mining sites across the country is increasing each year, potentially leading to widespread environmental damage if proper land reclamation is not implemented. Many dumps, he noted, contain harmful chemical compounds. Mining Company Rejects Claims The Kumtor Gold Company dismissed the ecologist’s concerns, asserting that his claims lack an objective basis. The company emphasized that the movement of waste dumps is occurring at a slower rate than anticipated. “At present, actual displacement is within our 2023 forecast and does not yet match the projected values for 2025. The dump remains 160 meters from the 2025 boundary and roughly one kilometer from the Kumtor River,” the company stated. Kumtor officials insisted that continuous scientific monitoring allows them to assess and manage geotechnical risks, preventing potential hazards such as dump collapses or water contamination. They further argued that the dumps consist solely of waste rock mass, free of harmful chemical elements. Has This Happened Before? Kumtor has previously been the cause of significant environmental issues. In 1998, a traffic accident led to almost a ton of cyanide spilling into a river near the village of Barskoon. In terms of waste dump movements, in 2013, shifting rock masses threatened residential areas, administrative buildings, and a weather station, forcing the company to demolish and relocate infrastructure. According to Isakbek Torgoev, head of the Geoecological Monitoring Laboratory at the Kyrgyz National Academy of Sciences, the movement of waste rock dumps is a constant process at Kumtor due to the thawing of permafrost beneath them. “These dumps are always moving, sometimes faster, sometimes slower, but Kumtor’s geotechnical service closely monitors them. The Lysyi Glacier dump is currently the closest to the Kumtor River, but it is still about a kilometer away,” Torgoev told The Times of Central Asia. Torgoev recalled visiting the mine a decade ago as part of a government commission tasked with inspecting the dumps. At the time, authorities stated that all waste dumps should be stabilized by the mine’s closure, a goal that...

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Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan Reach Agreement on Amu Darya Water Usage

A delegation from Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Water Resources visited Turkmenistan on March 13-14 to discuss bilateral cooperation on water management, Dunyo reports. Officials from both countries met in Turkmenabat to address key issues, including the maintenance and modernization of water infrastructure, flood prevention, riverbank reinforcement, and efficient water use. As part of the discussions, the sides reaffirmed their commitment to implementing agreements reached during the fourth Uzbek-Turkmen intergovernmental meeting on water management. They agreed to collaborate on hydrotechnical projects aimed at minimizing water losses in the Amu Darya River and optimizing resource use. The two countries also plan to conduct joint research on shared water bodies, exchange expertise on water-saving technologies and digital management systems, and enhance training programs for water management specialists. During the visit, the Uzbek delegation toured the Tuyamoyin hydroelectric complex, where representatives discussed potential improvements to its operations. Previously, The Times of Central Asia reported that Kazakhstan is set to receive 11 billion cubic meters of irrigation water by April 2025 under an agreement signed in Dushanbe. Meanwhile, on World Rivers Day of Action, environmental groups raised concerns about growing threats to Central Asia’s rivers and lakes. Organizations such as Rivers Without Boundaries and Friends of the Earth US have called on international financial institutions to reconsider funding for hydropower projects in the region.

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Biodiversity Experts Tell Banks to Halt Projects That Endanger Central Asia’s Rivers

On March 14, World Rivers Day of Action, international environmental organizations issued a stark warning about the future of Central Asia’s key rivers and lakes. A coalition, including Rivers without Boundaries, International Rivers, Friends of the Earth US, Urgewald, and CEE Bankwatch Network, called on major international development banks to reconsider their funding policies for hydropower projects. According to environmentalists, Central Asia already has more than 300 large dams, with over 200 additional projects either planned or under construction, many with financial backing from international banks. In a joint statement addressed to the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Eurasian Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the groups expressed concern over the rapid expansion of dams in the region. They argue that these hydropower projects are fragmenting rivers, destroying natural habitats, and violating human rights. Despite UNESCO World Heritage protections and other conservation measures, environmentalists warn that increased international funding for both large and small hydropower projects could irreversibly damage Central Asia’s rivers. A newly published map by Rivers without Boundaries identifies the region’s most valuable and vulnerable freshwater ecosystems. If all planned projects are completed, nearly all of Central Asia’s river systems will be fragmented, including those that remained untouched during Soviet-era hydroengineering efforts. “Dams and reservoirs in Central Asia are often presented as necessary for water conservation and energy development,” said Evgeny Simonov, international coordinator of Rivers without Boundaries. “However, global experience shows that this approach is often economically inefficient and environmentally destructive.” Andrey Ralev, a biodiversity specialist at CEE Bankwatch Network, emphasized the severe impact of hydropower projects on the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers, which have already contributed to the Aral Sea crisis. “Their mountain tributaries still support unique biodiversity. Development banks should support their protection, not finance destructive hydropower projects,” he said. Katharina Lu, a senior manager at Friends of the Earth US, highlighted the growing impact of climate change and biodiversity loss on river ecosystems and local communities. “International development banks must stop blindly supporting hydropower and instead consider decentralized energy solutions with less environmental impact,” she said.

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Eight Regions in Kazakhstan Face High Flood Risk

Kazakhstan's National Headquarters for Coordination of Flood Control Measures has identified the most flood-prone regions of Kazakhstan. As of March 13, 67% of the country remains covered in snow. Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlan Nyssanbayev noted that snowmelt has already begun in the Kyzylorda, Turkestan, Zhambyl, West Kazakhstan, Atyrau, and Mangystau regions. Meanwhile, maximum soil freezing has been recorded in the northwest, northeast, and central parts of the country. In the Kostanay region, frost penetration exceeds 150cm, while in the Akmola region, it reaches 139cm. The Pavlodar and Karaganda regions have experienced frost depths of up to 159cm and 132cm, respectively. Weather forecasts indicate that March and April will be warmer than usual, with heavy precipitation expected in most of the country, increasing the risk of flooding. For the first time in 2025, Kazakhstan has issued detailed flood risk assessments for each region, including maximum water flow levels, runoff volumes at hydrological posts, and at-risk settlements. Based on this analysis, eight regions have been classified as high-risk flood zones: East Kazakhstan, Karaganda, Akmola, North Kazakhstan, Kostanay, Aktobe, Abay, and Ulytau. An additional five regions, Almaty, Zhambyl, West Kazakhstan, Atyrau, and Zhetisu, are considered medium-risk zones. “Regions must maintain a high level of preparedness. Akimats [local councils] should take comprehensive measures to prevent flooding in settlements, prioritizing protection from steppe water. Culverts, bridges, and drainage systems should be cleared of ice and debris, and riverbanks must be reinforced. Bottlenecks in rivers should be widened. Additionally, emergency response teams must be stationed in flood-prone areas, with designated evacuation sites fully equipped with life-support resources,” said Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov. The Ministry of Emergency Situations has been tasked with providing round-the-clock monitoring of the flood situation. In the event of worsening conditions, additional emergency response forces will be deployed. According to Minister of Emergency Situations Chingis Arinov, more than 37,000 civil protection personnel, 13,000 units of equipment, 4,000 water pumps, and 640 boats have been mobilized. Ministry aircraft remain on standby, and a reserve force of 1,000 employees with 120 specialized vehicles, 123 water pumps, and 39 boats is also prepared for deployment. As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, Kazakhstan began releasing water from reservoirs in January to maximize capacity ahead of spring floods. However, last year, the greatest damage was caused not by overflowing rivers but by the rapid melting of the snowpack.

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Kazakhstan’s Karaganda Among World’s Most Polluted Cities as Central Asia Struggles with Air Quality

Kazakhstan’s Karaganda - the heartland of the nation's coal and metallurgical industries - was ranked as the world’s third most polluted city in 2024, according to the 2024 World Air Quality Report released by IQAir. The report evaluates global air quality for 2024, presenting PM2.5 air pollution data collected from 8,954 cities across 138 countries, regions, and territories. PM2.5, or fine particulate matter, is measured in micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) and is a key indicator of air pollution. Karaganda recorded an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 104.8 µg/m³ in 2024. In comparison, Byrnihat, India, the world's most polluted city, had an average PM2.5 concentration of 128.2 µg/m³. Central Asian Cities in the Global Ranking Among the world’s most polluted cities, Central Asia’s major cities ranked as follows: Dushanbe, Tajikistan - 176th, PM2.5: 46.3 µg/m³ Tashkent, Uzbekistan - 510th, PM2.5: 31.4 µg/m³ Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan - 1009th, PM2.5: 21.2 µg/m³ Almaty, Kazakhstan - 1072nd, PM2.5: 20.3 µg/m³ Astana, Kazakhstan - 1608th, PM2.5: 15.4 µg/m³ Kazakhstan’s Regional Air Quality Standing In the ranking of the world's most polluted countries, Kazakhstan had the best air quality in Central Asia, ranking 71st globally. Other regional rankings were: Tajikistan - 6th most polluted country Uzbekistan - 19th Turkmenistan - 26th Kyrgyzstan - 41st Global Air Pollution Trends According to the report, only 17% of global cities met the World Health Organization (WHO) air pollution guideline for PM2.5. The seven countries that met the WHO’s annual average PM2.5 guideline of 5 µg/m³ were: Australia Bahamas Barbados Estonia Grenada Iceland New Zealand The five most polluted countries in 2024 were: Chad – 91.8 µg/m³ (more than 18 times higher than the WHO guideline) Bangladesh – 78.0 µg/m³ (more than 15 times higher) Pakistan – 73.7 µg/m³ (more than 14 times higher) Democratic Republic of the Congo – 58.2 µg/m³ (more than 11 times higher) India – 50.6 µg/m³ (more than 10 times higher) A total of 126 out of 138 countries (91.3%) exceeded the WHO’s annual PM2.5 guideline of 5 µg/m³. Air Pollution’s Impact on Human Health The report underscores that air pollution remains the greatest environmental threat to human health. According to the WHO, 99% of the global population lives in areas that do not meet recommended air quality levels. Air pollution is the second leading global risk factor for death and the second leading cause of death among children under five, following malnutrition. The health effects of air pollution include respiratory diseases, developmental issues, and increased mortality. In 2021 alone, 8.1 million deaths were attributed to air pollution, with 58% of those deaths caused by ambient PM2.5 pollution.