Investigations
For a decade, authorities of Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, have been elaborating plans to solve the city landfill problem, which is called an environmental catastrophe by ecologists.
Back in 2013, the EBRD and the European Union allocated 22 million Euro for the construction of a modern landfill, waste sorting facility, and for the improvement of the situation. Over a decade later, the only tangible results have been new garbage bins and cleaning equipment, while millions of Kyrgyz som have been spent on loan repayments and penalties.
When visiting Kara-Keche, a field where coal is mined, one can observe that the water flowing from the glaciers is no longer transparent but black, and the pine trees are gradually drying up. Despite numerous attempts by local residents to draw attention to this issue, they have yet to achieve any results.
Illegal waste collection in Tajikistan not only violates the law but also threatens public health and the environment. Experts say that urgent measures are required to stop the growth of the illegal waste collection and recycling market.
In Kyrgyzstan, based on the reports of state bodies, new trees are widely planted across the country, while the area of forests is increasing steadily. However, thousands of dead plantlets and wasted millions of dollars are hidden behind fine words and figures.
The issue of drinking water scarcity for residents in Devashtich District of region in Tajikistan has remained unresolved for many years. Despite repeated allocation of substantial funds to address this issue, local residents report that they are still forced to buy water, while no steps are being taken to solve the problem.
In Bishkek, contrary to the master plan, a tree belt area in southern residential areas of the city has been actually destroyed in the last few years. However, it has played a significant role in the urban ecology. Now, the area is built with high-rise residential buildings. According to officials, the law does not specify any punishment for the violation of the master plan, while independent experts say that drastic measures need to be employed.
Almost every third region of Kazakhstan has water deficit. And it is getting even worse: climate change and active economic activity of people lead to depletion of river resources. Let’s review how water deficit turns into the national security threat and if the water shortage can be eliminated. (more…)
Every year Kazakhstan helps agrarians to pay for mineral fertilisers. However, the state is reluctant to invest in organic fertilisers, whose efficiency has been proved. Why does it happen so? It can be explained either by lobbying by companies producing mineral fertilisers or the incapability of the state system to readjust to new realities. See the investigation to know which of the hypotheses proved to be true. (more…)
Medical waste disposal and neutralisation remain one of the most pressing environmental problems in Uzbekistan, as well as in other countries in the region.
A part of the funds allocated by the authorities and international organisations for the safe disposal of millions of mercury-containing lamps (light bulbs) in Tajikistan was not used for its intended purpose, as the results of the journalistic investigation by CABAR.asia show. Used mercury-containing lamps are disposed of in general landfills, which poses a threat to human health. (more…)