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Almaty Oblast
201 6 2017 2018 2019 1,4 1,9 1,8 3,3 Stationary sources of air pollution, aggregate - 2017–2019 2017 16 284 201 8 1 5 237 201 9 13 435 In 2019, 494,000 cars and 67,000 trucks were registered in the oblast; in 2018 – 483,000 cars and 49,000 trucks. To reduce emissions from transport, regional Akimats are running incentive programs to encourage car owners to convert to natural gas fuel and are updating municipal vehicle pools. More than 30% of the settlements in the oblast are gasified, with more than a million people with access to natural gas. Discharge of pollutants by enterprises - 2017–2019 Volume – wastewater discharge – m3 1 000 Volume – pollutant discharge - kt 2017 71 563 21 201 8 84 191 26 201 9 82 879 26 The total land area of the Almaty region in 2019 amounted to 22,355 thousand hectares in 2019; and 22,358 thousand hectares in 2018. Category Agricultural land Residential land Land zoned for industrial, transport, communications, Ministry of Defense, and other non-agricultural purposes Protected nature preserves Forestland Surface water lands Undesignated Reserve area 2017 8 621 795 312 1 191 4 037 193 7 209 2018 8 293 795 255 1 227 4 037 195 7 557 2019 8 007 723 252 1 643 3 696 192 7 845 Distribution of land by category – thousands of hectares - 2017-2019 Almaty region includes 2.3 thousand hectares of land of the East Kazakhstan region in the Alakol Nature Park. In 2019, 319 companies were engaged in the extraction of common minerals in the oblast; in 2018 - 333. Gamma radiation levels in the region were monitored at 8 meteorological stations in 2018 and 7 in 2019. Monitoring of radioactive contamination of the surface layer of the atmosphere was carried out at five meteorological stations. All indicators, including the average value of background radiation of the surface layer of the atmosphere were with normal , in the range In 2018, 629,000 tons of household waste were generated in the oblast; in 2019 – 630,000 tons. Waste collection and export was conducted by 72 companies in 2018, and 75 companies in 2019. Underground containers have been installed in residential areas to encourage solid waste sorting. Mesh containers for wastepaper, plastic and aluminum were installed and containers for hazardous waste. Wastepaper collection points have been opened. Environmental safeguards cost to business enterprises ( ) billions of Tenge Air Water Land resources Biodiversity Waste Renewable energy sources There are 27 facilities in the oblast using renewable energy sources with a total capacity of 889 MW, including 18 hydroelectric power plants, six wind farms and three solar power plants. Radiation Environmental Issues The Regional Directorate for Control over the Use and Protection of Land manages agricultural land usage. In 2018, they recorded 36 violations; in 2019, inspections led to 16 lawsuits from non-use of land plots. Name and area Alakol — 17.4 thousand hectares, Almaty — 71.7 thousand hectares. Ile-Alatau – 186,000 hectares, Altyn-Emel – 307,000 hectares, Charyn – 127,000 hectares, Kolsai Lakes – 161,000 hectares, Zhongar-Alatau – 356,000 hectares. Lepsinsky – 258,000 hectares, Toktinsky – 187,000 hectares, Kukan - 49.1 thousand hectares, Verkhnekokuysky – 240,000 hectares, Balkhash – 503,000 hectares, Karaoi – 295,000 hectares, Almaty – 542,400 hectares. Ash Grove - 5014 hectares, "Singing Dune" - 240 hectares, Chinturgen spruce trees - 9 hectares, Baum Grove - 139 hectares. Zhusandalinskaya — 2.8 million hectares Ile — Balkhash — 415,164 hectares Status Reserve State National Park State Nature Sanctuary State National Natural Historic Site National Natural Protected Zone State Nature Reserve Protected Natural Preserves - Almaty Oblast The oblast contains seven radiation-hazardous objects which are sources of ionizing radiation. Work was carried out on four of the emitting sources; the remaining three sources are in storage and out of service. In 2018, allowable atmospheric levels of nitrogen in Taldykorgan and carbon in the Talgar district were recorded. In 2019, carbon monoxide concentrations were exceeded in the Talgar district, the village of Otegen Batyr, and the cities of Kaskelen and Esik. In Esik, formaldehyde concentrations were also excessive. In 2018- 2019, there were no incidents of elevated or extremely elevated pollution. In 2018-2019, air quality observations were carried out at two posts in Taldykorgan. In the cities of Talgar, Esik, the villages of Otegen Batyr, Kaskelen, Turgen, episodic monitoring of the concentration of dust, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, phenol and formaldehyde was carried out quarterly at two locations. Military garrison boiler facilities, building material production, agriculture, transport and heating plants comprise the primary sources of air pollution. Pollutant emissions from stationary sources - 2017–2019 Sulfur dioxide Nitrogen oxides Suspended solid particulate Carbon monoxide 2017 11 5 11 11 201 8 12 6 11 14 201 9 11 6 11 13 2017 201 8 201 9 Substance TOTAL Including 43 50 48 Emissions, kt A major gasification project was carried out in Taldykorgan which converted 58 public utilities and 9,000 homes to natural gas. Another major gasification project in the region is the construction of a central gas pipeline of 224 kilometers linking to the city of Usharal. This project will provide gasification of 74 settlements with a combined population of 230,000. In 2019, the development of design and estimate documentation for the construction of gas networks to serve 36 additional settlements was completed. To facilitate pasture irrigation, fish migration, and generally favorable conditions for animals and plants, the government is working to increase the capacity of the Ile and Karatal rivers flowing into Lake Balkhash. In 2019, four major cleanup projects of the Ile and Karatal deltas and channels were undertaken. The primary sources of water pollution in the region are sewage and collector-drainage waters of large enterprises like the State- owned enterprise Almaty Su, the Balkhashirigation, TGPK LLP, the Kapshagai Hydroelectric Power Station, the Taldykorgan Zhetysu Su Kubyry State Enterprise, and the Tekeli Su Kubyry State Enterprise. To preserve water resources in the oblast water protection zone projects have been developed for 214 bodies of water and are indicated by public signage. There are 800,000 hectares of unexploited agricultural land in the region. In 2018 nearly 12 thousand additional hectares were identified; in 2019, more than 250 thousand additional hectares. Excessive heavy metals MPC of in soils from Taldykorgan and Tekeli - 2018-2019 Lead Copper Zinc 2019 1,2–17 ПДК 1,4–15 ПДК 1,2–3,6 ПДК 201 8 1,3–6,6 ПДК 1,6–6,2 ПДК 1,1–3,4 ПДК 201 9 1,2–6,2 ПДК 1–2,7 ПДК 1,1 ПДК Metal Annually in spring and autumn, soil samples are taken in Taldykorgan, Tekeli and Zharkent in areas contaminated with heavy metals. In soil samples from around the districts of Taldykorgan and Tekeli, excesses of the maximum permissible concentrations (MPC) of lead, copper and zinc were recorded. 2018 1,2–11,3 ПДК 1,8 ПДК - Spring Autumn Spring Autumn Regional forestlands comprise more than four million hectares, nearly 19% of all the forests in the country. Oblast Preserved areas are among the nation's most extensive at more than 1.2 million hectares. The exceptional biodiversity of the flora and fauna of the Almaty Oblast makes it home to more than half of all animal species in the country. Overall, there are 475 species of terrestrial vertebrate animals in the region, including those on the Red List: gazelle, Turkmen kulan, argali, tugai deer (hangul), the Przhevalsky horse, Tien-Shan brown bear, snow leopard, stone marten, Central Asian River otter, Turkestan lynx, manul and red wolf. In 2018, 1389 raids and 153 inspections uncovered 661 environmental legislation violations and led to the initiation of 17 criminal cases. In 2019, 1139 raids and 138 inspections were carried out. Raids and inspections in the two-year period resulted in the confiscation of 19 firearms, 70 illegally harvested wildlife (pheasants, hares, ducks, etc.), 176 pieces of fishing gear, 12 boats, and more than 50 tons of fish. To restore wildlife populations in the Altyn-Emel State National Nature Park, a breeding program for turkmen kulan is being conducted; restoration of the Bukhara deer habitat is undertaken; in the Karachingil hunting reserve, falcons- balabans and other rare and endangered birds of prey are bred at the Sunkar falconry; Tugai deer are kept in controlled free range at the Tasmuryn hunting reserve; and the Semirechensk pheasant is bred in the Bakbakty hunting farm. In 2019, two hydroelectric power plants began operating on the Esik and Talgar rivers with a total capacity of 8.2 MW. By the end of 2019, the construction of two solar power plants with a capacity of 5.4 MW was completed, and one solar power plant in the city of Kapshagai with a capacity of 101 MW had gone online. Four 18 MW wind farms started operations in 2019; one wind farm in the Enbekshikazakh district is preparing its test launch. Energy consumption in the region amounted to 3.9 billion kW· h; 2.2 billion kW· h were produced, of which 589 million kW· h — were from renewable energy sources (RES). In 2019, the Sorbulak Wastewater plant, which accepts Almaty wastewater for additional treatment and storage, was filled to a level of 618-620 meters - the maximum capacity of the reservoir is 620.5 meters. For level reduction to safeguard against wastewater contamination, storage dams and auxiliary structures have been reconstructed. The current condition of the dams is satisfactory, water levels at the reservoir are measured daily, the condition of the dams is assessed regularly, and quarterly analyses are taken of water quality at the reservoir. The sewer lines in the villages of Saryozek, Karabulak and Zarechnoye are in disrepair. Reconstruction of the Saryozek line was completed in 2019; a project for the reconstruction of the Karabulak line was developed in 2012 but was not approved. It is up for redevelopment in 2020. Treatment facilities for Zarechnoye are beyond repair. New construction is required. A feasibility study has been developed. By 2030, plans foresee the entry into service of an additional 75 renewable energy facilities. In the Panfilov district of the region in 1962, geological exploration work was completed at a uranium-ore deposit resulting in increased gamma radiation. The uranium facilities are now mothballed, but not all sites have been remediated. In 2019, a feasibility study was developed for the reclamation of uranium mine. Since 1965, more than 60 hectares of land near the town of Tekeli have been used as a tailings pond—a source of heavy metal pollution and a hazard for the local population. Reclamation of the tailings pond is complicated by uncertainty surrounding ownership of the waste, with 79% of the waste the responsibility of the State, and the rest generated by private companies. To solve the problem, the Oblast Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Regulatory body has developed both a design and cost estimate for a tailings pond reclamation project. There are 28 self-draining wells in the oblast's Enbekshikazakh region, and 72 wells in the Panfilov region. All the wells in the Enbekshikazakh region have identified coordinates and owners; in the Panfilov region, an ongoing project has identified the coordinates of 43 wells. The issue is included in the Almaty Oblast Environmental Action Plan for 2016-2020. Body of Water Tentek, Shilik, Bayankol, Karkara, Turgen, and Urzhar rivers Tekes, Sharyn, Temirlik, Zhamanty, Yrgayty, and Katynsu rivers; Kapshagay Reservoir Ile, Esik, Kaskelen, and Emel rivers; Bartogay and Kurty reservoirs Korgas, Lepsi, Aksu, and Karatal rivers Eginsu River Lake Sasykkol, Lake Zhalanashkol Talgar River, Balkhash Lake, Alakol Lake Class Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 non-standardized (class >3) Class 4 Class 5 non-standardized (class >5) Water quality – Surface bodies of Water in the Almaty Oblast - 2019 Monitoring of water quality in the region is carried out at 29 sources. In 2019, only one case of suspended solid particulate heavy pollution was registered - in the Talgar River. Domestic wastewater discharge - 2017–2019 Volume – wastewater discharge – m3 1 000 Volume – pollutant discharge - kt 201 7 145 329 135 201 8 91 592 146 201 9 149 498 148 There are multiple fresh water sources in the oblast, including 18 transboundary rivers and 10 bodies of water of national significance.
This interactive report was created by the Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan with the support of the European Commission, the United Nations Environment Programme, and Zoï Environment Network.