Kazakhstan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Yerlan Nyssanbayev, visited the Kyzylorda region on July 8–9 to monitor ongoing afforestation efforts aimed at rehabilitating the dried seabed of the Aral Sea. These large-scale projects are part of the country’s wider environmental strategy.
In Kazalinsk, the minister inspected a forest nursery launched in late 2024. Spanning 33 hectares, the nursery currently has 10 hectares in active use, where saxaul seeds have been sown. Once mature, these are expected to yield around three mln seedlings to support reforestation in arid zones.
Nyssanbayev also surveyed areas planted in 2023, covering 4,000 hectares. These efforts used standard black saxaul seedlings and were carried out based on scientific guidance. The condition of the vegetation is currently rated as satisfactory.
New Nursery on Aral Seabed to Boost Local Seedling Production
Another key stop on the visit was a newly planted 11,800-hectare zone, where seedlings were introduced earlier this year with backing from Katko, a Kazakh-French joint venture. Authorities report that these plantings are in good condition.
Nyssanbayev also visited the site of a new nursery being built directly on the former seabed of the Aral Sea. The 15-hectare facility will include a dedicated irrigation well and housing for workers. Once operational, it will produce up to 1.5 mln seedlings annually, specially adapted to survive in dry climates. The location is expected to cut transport costs and enhance the overall efficiency of the afforestation programme.
These initiatives represent a crucial part of Kazakhstan’s commitment to restoring its damaged ecosystems and addressing the environmental legacy of the Aral Sea crisis.
Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan launched a joint project to plant saxaul trees across the dried-up Aral Sea bed in the border region.
