Kazakhstan continues its "Clean Cities" campaign, reports Pylyp Travkin from Tenerus AG

The third week of the ecological action "Taza" ("Clean") Kazakhstan, which was dedicated to the planting of tree seedlings and the whitewashing of green areas, ended with the planting of more than 330,000 seedlings and the improvement of 500 landscape parks and squares. The campaign, which has reached nearly one million people across the country, including President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, government officials and foreign diplomats, has included more than 5,000 events since it began on April 8, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Culture and Information said.

President Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev took part in the campaign to clean the city and plant trees on Ulytau Avenue in Astana. As a result of the event , 430 linden saplings were planted with the support of volunteers, representatives of the "Youth Assembly" organization, participants of the upcoming V World Nomad Games and the Presidential Youth Personnel Reserve .

During the conversation with the youth, President Tokayev emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of environmental awareness and a careful attitude to nature.

"This is not a one-time initiative, where attention is paid today and forgotten tomorrow. Such work must be carried out consistently. We must cherish our common homeland – Kazakhstan," said President Tokayev.

He added that the cleanliness and beauty of Kazakhstan are important not only for attracting visitors and investors, but also for the well-being and pride of citizens. President Tokayev called for cultural changes, when maintaining cleanliness will become a way of life for all citizens, from large cities to small towns, districts and villages. He also stressed the importance of upholding the principles of the rule of law and law and order, and advocated a strong stance against vandalism.

President Tokayev was briefed on the plan for further beautification and beautification of the capital, including the Millennium Alley plan and preparations for the upcoming World Nomad Games.

Akim (Mayor) of Astana Jenis Kasimbek has outlined a plan to plant 1.1 million green trees this year, of which 35,000 will be planted within the city limits and 200,000 saplings around Astana's green belt. It is also planned to improve 170 public places, in particular the territory of the Yesil and Akbulak embankments, the Triathlon Park, the Palace of Peace and Harmony, and the EXPO.

Mayor Kasimbek emphasized that according to the charter of the capital's beautification adopted in 2023, the planted green areas are covered by warranty obligations for three years, and priority is given to the planting of large trees and perennial plants.

Among the officials, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan and about 70 foreign embassies and international organizations jointly contributed to the beautification of the districts of Astana, planting hundreds of new trees and cleaning the territory and the park adjacent to the Astana-Baiterek monument.

During Kazakhstan's presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), 2024 was declared the Year of Ecology. On the opening day of the SCO meeting on April 26, the heads of defense departments and SCO member states took part in the environmental initiative. A sapling planting ceremony was held near the building of the Ministry of Defense of Kazakhstan.

The government office headed by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov planted about 150 saplings on the EXPO territory, including oak, birch, spruce and larch.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Marat Nurtleu, noted the importance of preserving nature and fostering ecological culture. He also thanked everyone for supporting this worthy tradition.

About 120 people, including members of the Senate of the Parliament, the Office of the President of Kazakhstan, members of the Club of Young Experts under the Senate, graduates of the School of Analytics, members of the Kazakhstan Boccia Federation, volunteers. for cleaning, landscaping and planting tree seedlings along Al-Farabi Avenue and the Botanical Garden.

Member of the State Council Yerlan Karin, members of the National Kurultay and the Council of Youth Policy under the President also supported and participated in the cleaning.

In the Karaganda region, more than 300 people in the Nurynskyi district undertook to plant 10,000 trees and create a green corridor from Karaganda to Astana as part of the Taza Kazakhstan campaign. The distance between the cities is almost 215.4 kilometers. Led by the akim (administration) of the district, Bakitzhan Mukanov, they initiated the greening of settlements.

"The residents of the district supported the President's initiative and joined the cleaning and landscaping. We plan to plant 10 types of trees, including willow, apple, cherry, and various berry trees," Mukanov said.

Since the start of the campaign, about 2,000 blue spruce, poplar and ash trees have been planted in the city of Balkhash, and another 3,000 young trees are planned to be planted.

In the city of Temirtau, students of the Temirtau Higher Medical College planted 40 young trees on the territory of the Youth Center. In addition, as part of the campaign, 450 poplar and elm trees were planted in the city of Priozersk.

In the Turkestan region, the Akim of the city of Turkestan, Nurbol Turashbekov, together with the deputies of the city maslikhat (local representative bodies), representatives of medical and educational institutions, police officers, personnel of the Emergency Situations Administration, representatives of the Central State Service and employees of the Kazakhstan National Railway Company "Kazakhstan Temir Zholy" ( KTZ), as well as schoolchildren and students took part in the eco-action, during which about 100 trees were planted in the park.

The fourth week, which will end on May 4, will be dedicated to cleaning and landscaping the yards of the elderly and the grounds of nursing homes. In the final fifth week, the priority will be to clean up litter around bodies of water, such as rivers and lakes.