Kazakhstan will establish a
National Hydrogeological Service tasked with monitoring the rational use of
groundwater, conducting prospecting and exploration work, and overseeing state monitoring
activities. The service will also develop databases and permanent geographic
information systems in hydrogeology, along with digital and cartographic
document storage and management systems using earth remote sensing data. A corresponding
draft government decree has been published on the website of open legal acts.
The hydrogeological service will be structured as a non-profit joint stock
company with 100 percent state capital, overseen by the Water Resources and
Irrigation Ministry, and the Ministry of Finance. The re-establishment of the
National Hydrogeological Service was instructed by President Kassym-Jomart
Tokayev, who emphasized the need to reform the country’s entire water
management system in his state-of-the-nation address.
“Currently, groundwater accounts
for 7-10 percent of Kazakhstan’s economic activity. We aim to increase the
utilization of these resources for drinking water supply, irrigation, and
grazing. The newly proposed National Hydrogeological Service is designed to facilitate
the exploration and protection of the country’s groundwater resources,” said Beksultan
Begaliyev, spokesperson for the Kazakh Ministry of Water Resources and
Irrigation.
