Kazakhstan is set to
expand its forest and park areas, with plans to plant over one billion
seedlings by the end of 2027. Investors are expected to be actively involved in
the forest industry. Measures to increase the country’s forested areas, as instructed
by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, were discussed at a government
meeting. Since 2021, 970 million seedlings have been planted across the country,
and over the past five years the forested area has grown by 267,000 hectares.
Significant efforts are also being made to equip forestry enterprises, parks,
and reserves with specialized firefighting equipment. This year, 52 billion
tenge have been allocated for these purposes. The relevant ministry also reported
on the introduction of an early forest fire detection system, covering 900,000
hectares of state forest fund. Thanks to the implementation of this system in the
Burabai National Park, the average fire area has been reduced by 50 times. A
similar system worth over three billion tenge will be introduced in the Semei
Ormany Nature Reserve next year.
«The expansion of forests and parks, as well as
the preservation of biodiversity for future generations, is one of the key
priorities in improving the environmental situation. This is a complex and
long-term task requiring constant attention. The Head of State has set a goal
of planting two billion trees, which will increase the area of the country's
forest fund to 14.5 million hectares. Given the limited forest lands, it is crucial
to make every effort to increase the forest fund and preserve the existing one,»
said Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov.
