Environment - The Times Of Central Asia

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Kazakhstan Considers Resuming Saiga Culling Amid Ecological and Agricultural Tensions

Kazakhstan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Yerlan Nysanbayev, has addressed the growing debate over the potential resumption of saiga culling, acknowledging that while no decision has yet been made, consultations with scientists and environmental experts are ongoing. Conservation or Population Control? Speaking at a government briefing, Nysanbayev emphasized the complexity of the issue. “We expect a second meeting. Science needs time to comprehensively study the situation, assess obligations, and determine whether population regulation is necessary or if alternative measures are viable,” he said. The minister acknowledged that the conflict between wildlife and agricultural interests is becoming increasingly apparent. “There are epizootic risks involved. A very balanced decision is required here,” he added. Regulation Methods: Culling or Capture? When asked about potential population control methods, Nysanbayev responded candidly. “It could be corral-based capture or shooting, what other options are there? But the final decision is still under scientific review.” The idea of regulating saiga populations first stirred controversy in 2022 when farmers in West Kazakhstan and Akmola regions reported widespread crop damage caused by the animals. Fields were trampled, fences destroyed, and harvests consumed. Some farmers even called for a state of emergency. By autumn 2023, saigas were added to the official list of animals subject to population control. Authorities initially aimed to capture 200,000 saigas, but technical challenges led to a shift toward culling. Meat processing plants began producing canned saiga meat for local consumption. Shifting Policies and Political Pressure However, on February 10, 2024, the Ministry of Ecology suspended the population control initiative following consultations with Kazakh and international experts. In April, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared his intent to ban saiga culling altogether, calling the antelope a “symbol of the Kazakh steppe”. Yet the issue resurfaced in March 2025 during a meeting of the National Kurultai. Tokayev again urged the government to reassess the situation, citing appeals from the AOYL political party and local residents. “Agriculture is suffering. Epizootic risks are growing. Overall, pressure on the ecosystem has increased,” he said. Global Context and Local Dilemma According to Energyprom.kz, global wildlife populations have declined by an average of 73% over the past 50 years. While Kazakhstan’s saiga population has rebounded significantly thanks to anti-poaching efforts and conservation policies, the country now faces a new dilemma: how to reconcile ecological preservation with agricultural stability. Minister Nysanbayev confirmed that a final decision will be made later this year but what form it will take remains uncertain.

Plastic bags Lake Issyk-Kul ban Penalties Environment

Kyrgyzstan Bans Plastic Bags at Lake Issyk-Kul

As of March 1, Kyrgyzstan has banned the use and sale of plastic bags and other plastic products in the resort and recreational areas of the Issyk-Kul region, including the beaches of Lake Issyk-Kul, the country’s main tourist destination. The Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision announced that fines will be imposed for violations, as part of efforts to protect the lake’s unique ecosystem and maintain cleanliness in the region. Penalties for Violations First offense: Warning Repeated violation within one year: Individuals - 3,000 KGS ($34) Legal entities - 10,000 KGS ($114) The ban and fines apply to both local residents and tourists. [caption id="attachment_29619" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Beach at Cholpon Ata; image: TCA, Stephen M. Bland[/caption] "It is not enough to hold only manufacturers or sellers accountable. All citizens must stop using plastic at Issyk-Kul. When visiting the lake, people should bring paper bags or reusable shopping bags," said Almaz Oskonbayev, an official with the ministry. This regional restriction is a precursor to a nationwide ban on plastic bags, set to take effect on January 1, 2027.

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Chinese Company to Build Waste Recycling Plant in Osh

China’s Hunan Junxin Huanbao KG Invest will build a solid waste incineration plant in Osh, Kyrgyzstan’s second-largest city, as part of a project to generate electricity from municipal waste. According to the Osh municipality, Mayor Jenyshbek Toktorbayev signed an agreement with the Chinese company during his visit to Changsha, the capital of China’s Hunan Province, in early March. The agreement includes the preparation of a feasibility study, with construction set to begin in the coming months. The project is expected to cost $90 million. Similar Project Underway in Bishkek The Times of Central Asia reported that Hunan Junxin Huanbao KG Invest is already implementing a similar waste recycling project in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s capital. The company is currently constructing a solid waste recycling plant at Bishkek’s sanitary landfill. The facility will generate electricity by incinerating municipal solid waste. In its initial phase, the plant will process 1,000 tons of waste per day, with plans to expand capacity to 3,000 tons daily. The project’s total investment is estimated at $95 million, with construction expected to be completed by December 2025. Addressing Kyrgyzstan’s Waste Crisis Solid waste management has been a long-standing challenge in Kyrgyzstan, particularly in its largest cities, Bishkek and Osh. The construction of modern recycling plants marks a significant step toward tackling waste issues while simultaneously contributing to sustainable energy production.

Environment collapse ecosystem Caspian Sea

Caspian Sea Shrinking Faster Than Expected, Risking Aral Sea-Like Disaster

The Caspian Sea is shoaling at an alarming rate, raising concerns among environmentalists in the countries that border it. According to the global movement Save The Caspian Sea, the sea level has dropped by two meters over the past 18 years. If this trend continues, the water level could fall by another 18 meters by 2100, triggering an ecological catastrophe much sooner than anticipated. Kazakh Coastlines Recede by 50 Kilometers The most dramatic retreat of the Caspian shoreline has been recorded along the Kazakh coast, where the sea has receded by 50 kilometers. Environmental activist Vadim Ni, founder of Save The Caspian Sea, reports that from 2005 to 2023, the sea’s surface area has shrunk by more than 30,000 square kilometers. This drastic change is devastating local ecosystems, particularly the Caspian seal population, which has declined from one million to just 70,000. Each year, thousands of dead seals are found along Kazakhstan’s coastline. Shipping and Oil Production at Risk Falling water levels are also disrupting shipping and trade in the Caspian Sea. Cargo ships can no longer enter the port of Aktau, a critical hub in the Trans-Caspian transport corridor that connects Kazakhstan with Azerbaijan. The Kazakh government has developed a dredging project to keep Aktau operational, with plans approved in December 2024. The project is expected to cost 42 billion tenge ($84 million). Additionally, the shoaling of the Caspian Sea is limiting the loading capacity of transport ships to just 75% of their maximum displacement. This also hinders access to the Kashagan oil field, one of Kazakhstan’s largest energy projects. [caption id="attachment_29154" align="aligncenter" width="671"] The Caspian Sea as seen from space; image: NASA[/caption] Ecologists Warn of Aral Sea-Like Collapse Russian ecologist Alexander Veselov has warned that the Caspian Sea could face the same fate as the Aral Sea, which virtually disappeared due to overuse and mismanagement. “The Caspian Sea may split into several parts, water quality will deteriorate, leading to mass deaths of swans, sturgeons, and seals. However, state authorities are failing to respond adequately to the crisis,” Veselov said. Impact on Climate and Regional Weather The Caspian Sea plays a crucial role in regulating the climate across Central Asia and beyond. Pyotr Zavyalov, deputy director of the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology at the Russian Academy of Sciences, warns that a continued drop in sea level could alter precipitation patterns as far as the Pacific region. The current average sea level of the Caspian stands at minus 29.5 meters relative to the World Ocean, the lowest point in 400 years. However, precise long-term predictions remain difficult due to the complex interactions of evaporation, river runoff, and precipitation. Volga River and Algae Threaten Caspian’s Future The Volga River, which supplies 90% of the Caspian’s water, has seen its flow dramatically reduced due to the construction of numerous dams in recent years. Meanwhile, scientists have recorded the spread of the dinophyte algae Ceratium tripos var. balticum in the Middle Caspian Sea. This invasive species can trigger harmful algal blooms, reducing oxygen...

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Environmental Advocate Vadim Ni Warns of Impending Disaster for Caspian Sea and Calls for Global Action to Prevent Ecological Collapse

Vadim Ni is an environmental law attorney and climate expert. He has served on compliance committees for the Aarhus Convention and the Protocol of the Eurasian Economic Commission on Water and Health. Additionally, he was part of the Republic of Kazakhstan's delegation in climate change negotiations. He is also the founder of the Save the Caspian Sea movement, which seeks to raise public awareness of the environmental issues facing the Caspian Sea and promote sustainable solutions for its preservation. TCA: Could you tell us why the Caspian Sea is so important and why it requires our urgent attention? Vadim: The Caspian Sea is the world's largest enclosed body of water, spanning five countries, including Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. Its significance extends far beyond geographical borders. It is home to unique species, including the endangered Caspian seal and several sturgeon species, which play a crucial role in the ecosystem and local economy. Unfortunately, the sea is on the brink of an environmental disaster due to climate change, pollution, and industrial exploitation. If action is not taken now, the world will face global consequences, from biodiversity loss to the destabilization of regional economies. Without immediate and decisive measures, this will lead to catastrophe not only in the region but globally. TCA: What inspired you to create Save the Caspian Sea? Vadim: I have been involved in environmental protection for a long time and have seen how fragmented efforts to save the Caspian have failed to yield significant results. The mass deaths of thousands of Caspian seals and the rapid shallowing of the coastline were alarming signals for me. It became clear that without a unified and coordinated initiative, we simply wouldn’t be able to save the sea in time. This led to the creation of Save the Caspian Sea, a movement that brings together the efforts of governments, businesses, environmentalists, and ordinary people. Its goal is to mobilize all possible resources to protect this vital body of water before it is too late. TCA: What are the main threats currently facing the Caspian Sea? Vadim: There are three major issues. The first is shrinking water levels. Due to climate change and the mismanagement of water resources, the sea level is rapidly declining. In Kazakhstan, some areas have already seen the shoreline retreat by dozens of kilometers. This is destroying ecosystems and causing severe damage to fisheries and tourism. The second problem is pollution. Industrial waste and heavy metals, mainly from oil extraction and processing, are being discharged into the water. This not only worsens water quality but also devastates marine flora and fauna, putting many species at risk of extinction. Additionally, large oil fields release toxic substances into the air, poisoning the environment. In the village of Berezovka, 25 toxic compounds have been detected in the air, causing residents to suffer from migraines, dizziness, hair loss, and deteriorating vision. The third threat is ecosystem destruction. The Caspian seal population has plummeted from one million in the early 20th century to just 70,000 today....

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Uzbekistan Launches Eco-Friendly Program to Reward Green Lifestyles

Uzbekistan has introduced a new initiative to promote eco-friendly habits. A presidential decree has been adopted as part of the state program for implementing the 'Uzbekistan 2030' strategy during the country's 'Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy'. The nationwide movement, One Million Green Families, aims to encourage sustainable living and raise environmental awareness. The program seeks to integrate eco-friendly habits into daily life through advocacy efforts and incentives. The initiative is based on several key principles: Promoting a healthy lifestyle through better nutrition, daily walks, and jogging Encouraging the use of green transportation, such as bicycles Reducing plastic waste Preventing food waste Using water, gas, and electricity more efficiently Sorting waste for recycling To support this initiative, the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change, along with the Ministry of Digital Technologies, will launch a digital platform in June. This platform will track participation and offer incentives to those who actively adopt eco-friendly practices. Citizens who demonstrate outstanding commitment to sustainable living will earn the title of "Eco-Active Citizen". Benefits include a 10% discount on public services and lower interest rates on consumer loans from state-owned banks. Families in which all adults achieve this status will be recognized as Green Families, and will have a chance to win one of 14 electric cars awarded annually through an open competition. The initiative also extends to local communities. Mahallas (neighborhoods) where at least half of the residents qualify as Green Families will compete in the Cleanest Mahalla and Greenest Mahalla contests. Winning communities will receive 500 million UZS ($38,500) to fund local infrastructure improvements, such as road repairs, energy-efficient lighting, playgrounds, green spaces, and waste management upgrades.