On May 19, 2021, a monitoring and a meeting aimed to discuss the resolution of the government of the Kyrgyz Republic No. 43 “On state registration of rights for the extraction of sand and gravel mixture and loams” were held in the Bazar-Korgon region. This event was organized by the Aarhus Center within the framework of the “Promoting a Green Economy and Environmental Management” project.

At the beginning of the meeting in the Bazar-Korgon district state administration, a discussion was held with the head of the organizational department Sh. Sagynov on cooperation with the Aarhus Center for environmental protection, environmental safety and joint plans for the future in the district.

Further, a meeting was held on the implementation of the decree of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic dated February 5, 2019 No. 43. The meeting was attended by the chief inspector for the protection of subsoils and industrial safety of the SEITS inter-regional management for Mailuu-Suuy, Bazar-Korgon and Nooken districts T. Anarbaev, leading specialist of the department of transport, communications, architecture and construction of the Bazar-Korgon Regional State Administration B. Bazarkulov, head of the department of emergency situations of Bazar-Korgon region J. Matnazarov and representatives of the Aarhus Center K. Isabaev, A. Matisaev.

At the meeting, K. Isabaev noted the role of representatives of state bodies, local self-government bodies in the implementation of the decree of the government of the Kyrgyz Republic of February 5, 2019 No. 43.

B. Bazarkulov noted that in the Bazar-Korgon region 24 entrepreneurs have received certificates “On state registration of rights to extract sand and gravel mixture and loams” on the basis of the decree of the government of the Kyrgyz Republic No. 43  since 2019. According to annual observations, the level of the river in the Saydykum village rises up to 1 m from the ground level. In this situation, there is a threat of flooding of agricultural land and vegetable gardens. To solve this problem, it is recommended to extract sand and gravel mixture on the territory of the Saydykum village. . The territories of most of the district administrations are mudflow hazardous and prone to natural emergencies. In this regard, it is necessary to carry out planned cleaning works in irrigation ditches, canals and river beds every year.

T. Anarbayev noted that explanatory work is carried out with violators of the sand and gravel mixture production together with the heads of the Aiyl okmotu. This responsibility is fixed by the order of the akim of the Bazar-Korgon district and the Regulation on the State Environmental Inspectorate. He also informed about the ban on the extraction of sand and gravel mixture in the areas from the dam on the Kara-Unkur River to the village of Saidykum.

Zh. Matnazarov proposed to hold a meeting with the participation of all relevant state bodies and local self – government bodies on the implementation of the requirements of water protection zones of rivers and landscaping of river banks, recultivation of quarries of sand and gravel mixture. Due to the illegal extraction of sand and gravel mixture, the coastal protective dams of the Ministry of Emergency Situations have been disturbed in some areas. It is necessary to regulate the allocation of land plots for the construction of residential buildings and industrial facilities in the water protection zones of rivers and canals.

After the meeting, the participants went to monitor facilities located on the Kara-Unkur River. During the monitoring, the participants revealed the facts of illegal extraction of sand and gravel mixture by AzVirt LLC. On the spot, an explanatory work was carried out with representatives of the company and the extraction of sand and gravel mixture was suspended. Also, together with the mayor’s office of the Bazar-Korgon city, a joint consideration of the complaint of local residents related to road dust during the transportation of sand and gravel mixture was carried out. During the observation it was found that the road is being watered with special equipment for the purpose of dust suppression. The company representatives informed the participants about the planned asphalting works on this road.

In order to control the extraction of sand and gravel mixture at the district level, the meeting participants proposed to create a special commission and conduct regular raids.

At the end of the monitoring, the experts gave consultations and  distributed copies of the KR government decree No. 43 to representatives of the Bazar-Korgon Regional State Administration, SEITS inter-regional management, the mayor’s office of the Bazar-Korgon city, the Saydykum ayil okmotu and AzVirt LLC.

A. Matisaev – specialist of the Aarhus Center.