Kazakhstan Establishes Forest Protection Service 

On May 4, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov signed a government resolution establishing a national Forest Protection Service. Administered by the Ministry of Ecology, the agency is tasked to enhance the efficiency of forestry institutions in dealing with emergency situations, including forest fires, as well as instilling a more scientific approach to subsequent forest rehabilitation and clearance. In addition to improving coordination between government agencies in the elimination of large-scale wildfires, the Forest Protection Service will ensure that personnel responsible for preventing and extinguishing forest fires are fully qualified. Machinery and equipment required for the job will also be updated and increased. Kazakhstan currently has 15 national civil defense services, including the Firefighting Service, Medical Service, Chemical Protection Service, Radiation Protection Service, and Hydrometeorological Service.