Kazakhstan Environment - The Times Of Central Asia

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Kazakhstan and World Bank Launch Second Phase to Revive Northern Aral Sea

In partnership with the World Bank, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of Kazakhstan has launched the second phase of a long-term initiative to restore the Northern Aral Sea. This stage aims to revive the region’s ecosystem and enhance the quality of life for local communities. Feasibility Study Underway Key objectives of this phase include reconstructing the Kokaral Dam and raising the sea level to 44 meters, measured using the Baltic height system. Plans also call for constructing a water control facility near the village of Amanotkel, designed to regulate water distribution within the Akshatau and Kamystybas lake systems in Kyzylorda Region’s Aral District. A technical feasibility study is expected to be completed by December 2025. Once implemented, these measures are projected to expand the Northern Aral Sea’s surface area to 3,913 square kilometers, increasing its total water volume to 34 cubic kilometers. The full refill process is anticipated to take four to five years, based on hydrological data from the Syr Darya River basin covering the period 1913-2019. Strategic Decisions on Dam Reconstruction The current conservation strategy was finalized following consultations with local authorities and water management experts. Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov stated that the plan reflects the region’s actual hydrological conditions and was selected for its balance of timeliness and efficacy. “We evaluated multiple implementation options. Discussions with residents and industry veterans helped guide our decision. The final plan was deemed optimal after all relevant factors were considered,” Nurzhigitov said. Sameh Wahba, the World Bank’s Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, underscored the project’s ecological and economic significance. He confirmed that the World Bank not only funded the feasibility study but remains committed to supporting the project through its next stages. According to Wahba, the initiative is expected to create jobs and stimulate sectors such as fisheries, agriculture, and tourism. Progress Achieved in the First Phase The first phase of the rescue effort has already delivered tangible benefits. Water volume in the Northern Aral Sea has risen by 42%, reaching 27 billion cubic meters, while salinity has dropped nearly fourfold. Annual fish yields have climbed to 8,000 tons. In 2024 alone, a record 2.6 billion cubic meters of water were channeled into the sea, with 1 billion cubic meters allocated for irrigation. Beyond water volume and quality, the project aims to revitalize the Syr Darya River delta, curb salt deposition, and bolster the fishing industry. Employment opportunities and improved living conditions for local populations are also key targets. Long-Term Threats to Water Security The sustainability of these efforts may be challenged by regional developments. During the international conference “Water Security and Transboundary Water Use: Challenges and Solutions” in Astana, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Aslan Abdraimov, warned of the potential impact of Afghanistan’s Kosh-Tepa Canal on Central Asian water systems. Despite the absence of a direct border between Kazakhstan and Afghanistan, Abdraimov stated that the canal could eventually reduce the flow of the Syr Darya River. “No sharp fluctuations...

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Afghanistan’s Qosh-Tepa Canal Could Impact Kazakhstan’s Water Security

The construction of the Qosh-Tepa Canal in Afghanistan and its potential implications for Central Asia’s water security were central topics at the recent international conference, Water Security and Transboundary Water Use: Challenges and Solutions, held in Astana. Delegates from Turkey, Israel, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan convened to address the canal’s possible repercussions and broader issues of regional water distribution. Potential Threats to the Syr Darya Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Aslan Abdraimov, warned that the Qosh-Tepa Canal could significantly reduce the flow of the Syr Darya River, with direct consequences for the already depleted Aral Sea. While Kazakhstan does not share a border with Afghanistan, the canal's impact is expected to ripple across the region. “No sharp fluctuations in water resources are expected in the near term, but in the long term, a reduction in the Syr Darya’s flow is inevitable,” Abdraimov stated. He emphasized that this would further strain the fragile water balance in the Aral Sea basin. The Aral Sea’s degradation has been ongoing for decades, largely due to the diversion of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers for agricultural use, primarily for irrigating cotton and wheat fields. These diversions have contributed heavily to the sea’s dramatic shrinkage. Azamatkhan Amirtayev, chairman of Kazakhstan’s Baytak Party, expressed concern that the Qosh-Tepa Canal could divert 25-30% of the Amu Darya’s flow. “This means that Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan will receive less water. Consequently, Uzbekistan may draw more from the Syr Darya, leading to reduced water availability for Kazakhstan, potentially by 30-40%,” Amirtayev said. He urged for regional cooperation and scientifically informed policymaking to mitigate water losses. The Qosh-Tepa Canal and Its Regional Consequences The Qosh-Tepa Canal, under construction in northern Afghanistan, is designed to stretch 285 kilometers and span approximately 100 meters in width. Once operational, it is expected to irrigate over 500,000 hectares of farmland by diverting up to 10 cubic kilometers of water annually from the Amu Darya, roughly a quarter of the river’s average flow. Such a significant withdrawal could disrupt the hydrological balance across Central Asia. Reduced flows in the Syr Darya may accelerate the desiccation of the Aral Sea and exacerbate ecological degradation in Kazakhstan’s downstream regions. Experts at the conference underscored the urgency of strengthening regional water diplomacy and establishing new cooperative frameworks to ensure sustainable water usage and prevent environmental disasters. Hope for Dialogue Afghan representatives have previously signaled a willingness to engage in dialogue on water resource management. Observers suggest that joint initiatives in water management could play a key role in easing regional tensions and improving environmental outcomes. As the region faces mounting water stress due to climate change, population growth, and infrastructure development, coordinated action among Central Asian states and Afghanistan is increasingly seen as essential for long-term water security.

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Kazakhstan Declares Kentau Industrial Zone an Ecological Emergency Area

The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan has officially designated the industrial zone of Kentau, located in the Turkestan region, as an ecological emergency area. Minister Yerlan Nysanbayev signed the corresponding order, introducing a special legal status for a 900-hectare zone on the city's northern outskirts. Restrictions and Emergency Measures Published on the government's official legal portal, the document outlines a series of prohibitions and restrictions intended to address the long-standing environmental crisis. The status is effective until January 1, 2075, and applies to an unpopulated industrial zone. The Akimat of the Turkestan region has been directed to consider implementing the following measures: Regulating vehicle entry and exit Prohibiting the construction of new facilities and expansion of existing enterprises unless related to mitigating the environmental disaster or supporting essential public services Resettling residents from hazardous zones, with the provision of temporary or permanent housing Banning the construction and operation of environmentally hazardous facilities Restricting the operations of health and resort institutions within the emergency area Forbidding activities that could endanger human health, flora, fauna, or the environment Additionally, the regional government is tasked with formulating a comprehensive action plan to stabilize the ecological situation and reduce environmental harm. Continuous monitoring will be carried out under Article 409 of Kazakhstan’s Environmental Code. [caption id="attachment_31795" align="aligncenter" width="1149"] Map-of the location declared an emergency zone; image: zan.gov.kz[/caption] Background of the Crisis Kentau, a city with regional subordination, lies at the southern base of the Karatau Ridge, approximately 24 kilometers from Turkestan and 190 kilometers from Shymkent. Founded in 1955 atop the former Mirgalimsay workers' settlement, the city grew around the development of the Achisai polymetallic deposit. Today, it has a population of around 75,000. The Kentau industrial zone has long hosted several major enterprises, whose operations have severely impacted the local environment. Calls for governmental intervention have intensified in recent years. In June 2024, Senator Murat Kadyrbek urged authorities to declare Kentau an ecological disaster zone and allocate 6 billion KZT ($12 million) in compensation to affected residents. He cited studies showing a decline in both public health and environmental quality. Kadyrbek also appealed to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection to introduce a 20% salary allowance for public sector workers residing in the disaster zone. Environmental experts and activists have repeatedly flagged dangerous levels of air pollution, elevated concentrations of heavy metals in soil, poor water quality, and a radioactive anomaly within the agglomeration area. While the Ministry’s recent designation is seen as a positive step toward environmental stabilization, experts stress that sustained investment and strategic long-term planning will be essential for meaningful recovery. Kentau is not the only locality in the Turkestan region grappling with ecological issues. Other affected areas include the Shardara and Arys districts, as well as the city of Turkestan, all located within the pre-crisis zone of the desiccating Aral Sea.

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Kazakhstan Plants Over 1 Billion Trees as Reforestation Drive Extends to 2027

Between 2021 and 2024, Kazakhstan planted a total of 1.15 billion tree saplings, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. The effort forms part of a sweeping national campaign aimed at reversing deforestation and mitigating climate impacts. Initially, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev had set a target of planting two billion trees by 2025. However, the government has now extended the deadline to the end of 2027 and re-approved its Comprehensive Plan for Reforestation and Afforestation. As part of the initiative, one and two-year-old saplings of both deciduous and coniferous species are being planted across various ecosystems. Currently, 251 forest nurseries operate across the country on 3,178 hectares of land, producing more than 280 million saplings for future planting. Urban greening is also a key focus. Under the presidential initiative to plant 15 million trees in cities and villages nationwide, 14.3 million have already been planted between 2021 and 2024. The plan calls for more than three million trees to be planted annually through 2025. To support this effort, the government has approved detailed landscaping and green zone development plans for Kazakhstan’s regions, as well as for its three major cities, Astana, Almaty, and Shymkent. Another priority is the afforestation of the dried bed of the Aral Sea, a critical environmental concern in Central Asia. Over the past three decades, trees and shrubs have been planted on more than 600,000 hectares of the former seabed, including 413,000 hectares over the last four years alone.

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Underground Tunnel Proposed to Channel Water from Black Sea to Caspian Sea

Azerbaijan’s ADOG company, in partnership with Zira Sea Port, has proposed an ambitious plan to construct an underground tunnel linking the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea. The goal is to counteract the rapid decline in the Caspian’s water level, which presents mounting environmental, economic, and infrastructural risks for the five littoral states. According to the analytical portal Minval Politika, the project envisions a 10-meter diameter tunnel connecting the Black Sea, either from the Georgian or Russian coastline, to the Caspian Sea. Engineers propose using the natural elevation difference between the two bodies of water to enable gravity-fed flow from the Black Sea into the Caspian, eliminating the need for pumps. ADOG has stated that the proposed project would undergo comprehensive environmental monitoring and include measures to preserve biodiversity in both marine ecosystems. The company has expressed readiness to begin a feasibility study and initiate the mobilization of necessary resources. Project proponents have submitted a request for the initiative to be considered at the state level and are calling for the launch of preliminary intergovernmental consultations. The urgency behind the proposal is grounded in alarming recent data. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the Caspian Sea has been shrinking at a faster-than-expected rate. Environmental group Save The Caspian Sea reports that the sea level has dropped by two meters in the past 18 years, with projections warning of a further decline of up to 18 meters by 2100 if current trends continue. Such a drop could have catastrophic consequences for regional biodiversity, fisheries, port infrastructure, and climate stability, evoking fears of an ecological disaster akin to the desiccation of the Aral Sea. While the proposed tunnel remains at a conceptual stage, its geopolitical and environmental implications will likely generate serious debate among the Caspian littoral states: Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan.

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Central Asia’s Green Energy Dream: Too Big to Achieve?

Although most Central Asian nations are heavily dependent on fossil fuel production and exports, they are aiming to significantly increase the use of renewable energy, hoping to eventually become crucial suppliers of so-called green electricity to Europe. Achieving such an ambitious goal will be easier said than done, given that developing the green energy sector in the region requires massive investment. What Central Asian states – struggling to attract long-term private capital into clean energy projects – need is financing for projects that modernize power networks, improve grid stability, and enable cross-border electricity flows. These upgrades are essential for large-scale renewable energy deployment and regional trade in power. Most actors in Central Asia seem to have taken major steps in this direction. In November 2024, at the COP29 climate conference held in Baku, Kazakhstan signed several deals worth nearly $3.7 billion with international companies and development institutions to support green energy projects. Neighboring Uzbekistan, according to reports, has attracted more than €22 billion ($23.9) in foreign investment in renewable energy, while Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan – which is aiming to generate all its electricity from green energy sources by 2032 – have developed strategies to help increase their renewable potential. But to turn their goals into reality, all these nations will need funding – whether from oil-rich Middle Eastern countries, China, the European Union, or various international financial institutions. Presently, the development of the Caspian Green Energy Corridor – which aims to supply green electricity from Central Asia to Azerbaijan and further to Europe – remains the region’s most ambitious project. According to Yevgeniy Zhukov, the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) Director General for Central and West Asia, this initiative is a strategic priority for Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan. “While the prospect of exporting green electricity to Europe is part of the long-term vision, the core goal of the initiative is to accelerate green growth within the region,” Zhukov told The Times of Central Asia. Together with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the ADB is funding a feasibility study for this proposed transmission corridor. The study will assess the technical and economic viability of such a system, along with the environmental and regulatory requirements. In the meantime, the ABD is expected to continue funding other green energy projects in the region. The financial entity, according to Zhukov, invested $250 million in Uzbekistan in 2023 to support renewable energy development and comprehensive power sector reforms, while in other Central Asian countries, it remains “firmly committed to driving the green energy transition.” “For instance, in Tajikistan we are exploring the potential to co-finance the Rogun Hydropower Project alongside the World Bank and other international partners. In Kyrgyzstan, our focus has been on supporting foundational reforms in the energy sector, including strengthening the policy and regulatory environment to attract private investment in renewables. In Turkmenistan, we’ve launched a total of $1.75 million technical assistance initiative to help lay the groundwork for future renewable energy development,” Zhukov stressed, pointing out that these efforts are part...