Environmental enthusiasts cultivate saplings to honor Independence Day celebration
In the heart of Kazakhstan, the megacity of Almaty is making strides towards a greener future. As of today, the city boasts approximately nine hundred hectares of green spaces, equating to 5 square meters of greenery per resident. This initiative, spearheaded by city residents and local authorities, is part of Kazakhstan's broader environmental efforts, notably under the "Taza Kazakhstan" (Clean Kazakhstan) program.
On the morning of a recent Independence Day, dozens of Almaty residents gathered in the Alatau District to plant trees. The city's mayor, Bakytzhan Sagintayev, also participated in the event, demonstrating the city's commitment to this green movement.
Entrepreneurs in Almaty have shown their support by collecting funds to buy pines and elms for the tree-planting initiative. One such private fund, "ECO FUND TABIGAT", has already planted over two and a half thousand trees in the Boraldai district.
The benefits of these green efforts are manifold. Pine trees, for instance, release phytoncides, disinfecting agents that kill bacteria like COVID. Moreover, these evergreen trees are beautiful and require minimal maintenance, not needing constant sanitizing pruning or special care.
One hectare of pine forest can absorb an average of 14 tons of carbon dioxide and release around 11 tons of oxygen per year. This oxygen release is particularly beneficial for allergy sufferers and people with chronic respiratory diseases.
The transformation of the Boraldai district is a testament to the success of these initiatives. A once barren dump site now stands as a lush coniferous grove, a symbol of Almaty's commitment to environmental restoration.
Looking ahead, the city plans to plant over 35,000 saplings on the prepared land, continuing and expanding these environmental campaigns. The ambition aligns with Kazakhstan’s and the region’s goals for sustainable development and climate adaptation, supported by youth engagement in green solutions and education programs that foster environmental stewardship across generations.
In summary, the Almaty tree-planting initiative reflects Kazakhstan’s systemic and growing commitment to environmental protection with ongoing planting campaigns, educational involvement, and legislative backing, aiming for long-term ecological restoration and sustainable green growth.
