BISHKEK (TCA) — The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek on 19 July launched the first of four clean-up campaigns at Issyk-Kul Lake, in Kyrgyzstan, as an integral part of a roundtable discussion on the importance of the involvement of public institutions and society, and public awareness on environmental issues. The discussion is taking place in Chok-Tal village and organized by the Issyk-Kul Aarhus Centre, the Clean Issyk-Kul Public Foundation, and the Chon-Sary-Oy ayil local authority with support of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek.
Aimed at preserving the local ecosystem and subaquatic life, the clean-up of the shore between Chok-Tal and Chon-Sary-Oy villages is being conducted by six professional divers and more than 100 local volunteers. According to local NGOs and authorities, the estimated volume of collected waste will amount to more than 2,000 metres of fishing nets as well as three cubic metres of plastic and other litter.
Marking the 20th anniversary of the OSCE presence in the Kyrgyz Republic, the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek will continue carrying out a series of clean-up activities throughout August on the shores of Issyk-Kul Lake, covering the shorelines between Toru-Aigyr and Tamchi, and between Temirovka, Grigorievka and Semionovka. The largest and final campaign is to be held in September in Cholpon-Ata with the participation of thirty representatives of local hotels and resort facilities, environmental services and public organizations from the entire Issyk–Kul region.
The clean-up campaigns have been supported by the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek since 2015.
