The project «Eco City» of the TV and Radio Complex of the President presents viewers with an episode from Taldykorgan. The city was the regional center until the Almaty region was divided into two parts. Two years ago, this city became the heart of the new Zhetysu region. The filming crew of the project visited different districts of Taldykorgan and transmitted the gathered information to experts, Kazinform agency reports.
Sad of Beysen Kurambek, the first winner of «Kazakhstan’s Voice» and a famous poet
The city is home to more than 200,000 residents. In order to show that people are involved and interested in greening their city, the host of the «Eco City» project spoke with Nurtaı Shanguzhanova, a resident of the «Youth» microdistrict. Five years ago, she started taking care of and expanding the garden of the talented native of the region, Beysen Kurambek. N. Shanguzhanova, who planted flowers and various trees around the garden, is called «gul apa,» «dos apa,» or «san apa» by her neighbors.
«- Beysen’s life was short, so in his memory, I created this alley. Here are 49 fruit trees. When people passing by eat the fruits of the trees, I say that this is Beysen’s garden. I am grateful and happy to contribute to the development of our city, even if it’s like a drop in the ocean,» N. Shanguzhanova said.
In the program, the head of the regional department of physical culture and sports, the first winner of «Kazakhstan’s Voice» Ulan Ryskul, commented on the culture of the population and the cleanliness of the region. The athlete, preparing future champions, does not exclude that upbringing starts with cleanliness. To become a winner, you need to respect both yourself and others’ work.
«- I would rate the cleanliness of Taldykorgan as 10/10. In the evenings, we often go out with children to parks with lush greenery. Most sports complexes are located in the city of Taldykorgan. Every two weeks, we organize cleanup events around them, whitewashing trees, and clearing ditches. Since the beginning of spring, we have held many events,» U. Ryskul said.
The famous poet Zhandarbek Bulgakov is also a native of Semirechye. The poet expressed his opinion on cleanliness and ecology in the city in an interview with «Eco City».
«- The problem of ditches and roads is not only ours, but it exists in all regions. The problem should be solved not only by government officials or leaders, the whole country should be involved in this,» the poet said.
Zhandarbek Bulgakov passed the relay to his colleague from Kunayev — Syrym Auezkhan during the program «Eco City».
Dried trees and dilapidated yards
According to local eco-activists, the trees in the parks are not watered, so many have dried up. Even in the largest park in the city, recently planted trees do not grow.
«When it comes to landscaping, it is evident that the trees have withered. We plant trees, but we do not take care of them. In our region, there are 141 parks. But none of them have botanists or gardeners,» said eco-activist Igor Tandeev.
The hosts of the «Eco City» program showed chaotic trading at the market, streets, and yards filled with garbage. For example, the condition of a house on Shevchenko Street in the city center is not very good. Old pipes, an old square, worn-out stadium lawn, scattered trash — all of this damages the city’s aesthetics.
The mayor of the city, Ernat Bazil, stated in an interview with the «Eco City» program that two years ago, the modernization of yards in the city began. This year, 87 courtyards have been renovated, and by 2027, all 454 courtyards are planned to be repaired.
The host of the program noted that only one employee weeded the weeds between the yards. It is understandable that one person will not finish everything today or tomorrow. But the single worker has become an example for children. The residents of the yard admit that the culture of cleanliness starts with oneself, and many take care of their yard.
According to the mayor, the city plans to sign a 5-year contract with a contracting institution servicing parks and fountains. The mayor noted that the situation with garbage collection from yards will be resolved within this project.
Illegal trading points
The shelves at the communal market of the city would have been relevant 15-20 years ago. But now they spoil the appearance of a modern city. Sellers have settled in illegal locations, which is why on a weekend, the market area stretches for kilometers. Moreover, sanitary requirements are not met, as the vegetables are placed close to the road.
The situation at the central market is also not easy. Here, more than 2,000 people earn a living. To solve the problem of illegal trading points, the mayor of the city gave instructions to remove kiosks on sidewalks and chaotic advertising signs. Nine months have passed, the task is not completed, and the advertising signs are updated day by day.
«- These vacancies were found under a state program, where the salary is 130-140 thousand tenge, on hand — 95-100 thousand. Individual entrepreneurs also offered work with a salary ranging from 160 to 180 thousand. But for this, one needs to undergo a free course for 2-3 months and improve qualifications. Because of this, people do not want (to become outdated),» explained Mayor E. Bazil.
The City Administration went to court for the forced demolition of illegal trading points. The court’s decision will soon be issued. A universal modern market is planned to be built in this place.
Expert Assessments
The hosts of the program gathered all the information about Taldykorgan and handed it over to experts. Specialists assessed the city based on five criteria: cleanliness and order on the streets, the work of communal services, landscaping, population culture, and city aesthetics. This episode was watched by the ecology expert Eldos Abakanov, urbanist Tursyn Zhiyenbayeva, and ecologist Bakhtiyar Shynybay.
«- Taldykorgan is a clean city, but I would focus on the problems. Among them are poor quality of roads, there are illegal trading points that spoil the city’s aesthetics. Special places should be provided for this, uniform pavilions should be created,» said the urbanist.
Eldos Abakanov, an ecology expert, emphasized that the two main issues in the city are waste and landscaping.
«- In the future, it is necessary to solve the issue of effective waste management in the city. As for the topic of landscaping, the greening of the city directly depends on the irrigation system and water supply. All of this we could not see in the program,» E. Abakanov said.
Ecologist Bakhtiyar Shynybay rated Taldykorgan at 5 points.
«- Taldykorgan is one of the most beautiful cities in the country with clean air. For the further development of the city, it is necessary, firstly, to strengthen the work of communal services and pay more attention to improving the environmental and individual culture of the population,» he said.
In the overall ranking, Zhetysu Center received 19 out of 30 possible points, taking the third place in the cities rating after Almaty and Kyzylorda. Earlier, a series of photo reports on cleanliness in the cities of Shymkent (18 points), Turkistan (18 points), Taraz (15 points), Kyzylorda (20 points), Ust-Kamenogorsk (11 points), Semey (14 points), and Pavlodar (17 points), Almaty (25 points) were published on the Kazinform agency’s website.