Activists plant trees in celebration of Independence Day, advocating for environmental conservation.
On Kazakhstan's Independence Day, the city of Almaty took a significant step towards environmental sustainability with a mass tree planting drive. Residents, eco-activists, and city administration workers joined forces to contribute to the development of the city's green fund, aiming to expand green spaces, enhance urban ecology, and foster community engagement.
The drive was part of a broader national effort towards sustainable urban development and nature affinity. In the Alatau district alone, dozens of residents gathered early morning to plant trees, while over two and a half thousand trees have been planted in the Boraldai district under the auspices of the private fund "ECO FUND TABIGAT" since the beginning of the year. The result? A lush coniferous grove in the Boraldai district, where once a wild dump stood.
The benefits of such tree planting drives are manifold. Increasing urban greenery not only improves air quality but also enhances public recreational spaces. Furthermore, symbolic landmarks created by these initiatives celebrate national history and cultural identity, sometimes involving foreign diplomats in a shared environmental effort.
Looking to the future, plans for green space expansion in Almaty seem to follow a vision of continuous afforestation and park development. Existing parks like First President Park, which currently hosts about 12,400 trees and shrubs over 73 hectares, symbolizing Kazakhstan’s independence and respect for nature, are likely to serve as models for similar initiatives elsewhere.
These initiatives support Kazakhstan’s sustainable development goals and promote a harmonious relationship between urban growth and nature, continuing to transform Almaty into a greener and more livable city. It is planned to plant more than 35 thousand saplings on the allocated land, a testament to the city's commitment to environmental stewardship and urban renewal.
The city's mayor, Bakytzhan Sagintayev, actively participated in the tree planting, joined by city residents who expressed their willingness to plant trees and change traditions from cutting down trees to planting them. Pine trees, which do not require constant sanitary pruning or special care, were a popular choice for this year's drive.
Moreover, ecologist Timur Eleyusizov highlighted the health benefits of pine trees, stating that they release phytoncides, disinfectants that kill bacteria like COVID. This added incentive underscores the importance of such initiatives in promoting public health and wellbeing.
In Almaty, residents currently have access to approximately 900 hectares of green spaces, amounting to 5 square meters of greenery per resident. However, according to WHO recommendations, each person in a city with a population of over a million, such as Almaty, should have access to 153 square meters of green space. The city's green action was actively supported by city residents, with entrepreneurial contributions to buy pine trees and firs for the planting.
Resident Yerbol Baizhanov expressed his joy about the tree planting event and wished a clear sky for all Kazakhstanis on Independence Day. Natalia Livinskaya, head of the city's Green Economy Department, noted that residents want to contribute to the development of green zones and ecology. This collective effort towards a greener Almaty is a testament to the city's commitment to a sustainable and livable future.
[1] Source: Almaty City Administration [2] Source: Kazakhstan Today [5] Source: United Nations Development Programme in Kazakhstan
- The mass tree planting drive in Almaty, encouraging sustainable urban development, aligns with the principles of environmental science, working towards expanding green spaces and promoting community engagement in the fight against climate-change.
- In line with the city's green action plans and Kazakhstan's sustainable development goals, residents have shown strong support for initiatives such as home-and-garden makeovers, incorporating sustainable-living practices that increase urban greenery and improve air quality.
- As part of the tree planting drive, pine trees have been chosen not only for their contribution to increasing urban greenery but also for their health benefits, as they release phytoncides that kill bacteria like COVID, supporting the city's focus on public health and wellbeing.
