On April 14, 2025, a round table on the law “On Limiting the Circulation of Polymer Film Bags and Plastic Products in the Territory of the Kyrgyz Republic” was held in the Kyrgyz-Ata State Nature Park of Osh Oblast.

The round table was organized by the Aarhus Center in Osh in conjunction with the Osh Regional Department of the State Environmental and Technical Supervision Service (SETS) under the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision (MNRETS) of the Kyrgyz Republic, within the framework of the project “Promoting Green Economy and Environmental Management” of the Programme Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Bishkek.

The event was attended by specialists from the Kyrgyz-Ata State Nature Park, the Nookat Forestry Enterprise, specialists in land issues and emergency situations, pasture committees of the Zulpuev and Gulistan aiyl okmotus, representatives of the public association “Eco Tartip” for Osh and Batken Oblasts, a state inspector of the Osh Regional Department of SETS under the MNRETS of the Kyrgyz Republic, and specialists from the Aarhus Center. A total of 20 people participated.

At the official opening of the round table, the Director of the Aarhus Center, K. Isabaev, spoke and informed the participants about the activities of the Aarhus Center.

A specialist from the Aarhus Center, A. Matisaev, presented on the following topics: “The Harmful Impact of Plastic Products and Polymer Film Bags on the Environment,” “Decomposition Times,” a video “We Eat Plastic! Plastic in the World Ocean,” the law “On Limiting the Circulation of Polymer Film Bags and Plastic Products in the Territory of the Kyrgyz Republic,” “International Experience,” and “Provisions of the Code of the Kyrgyz Republic on Offenses.”

The State Inspector of the Osh Regional Department of SETS under the MNRETS of the Kyrgyz Republic, U. Biymamat uulu, spoke about administrative fines for violations of the requirements of specially protected natural areas and environmental legislation, as well as offenses in the field of ensuring environmental safety. Participants asked questions and received comprehensive answers.

Further, during the discussion, the participants proposed the following suggestions:

– The Kyrgyz-Ata State Nature Park should place the following information materials at the checkpoint: “On the Prohibition of Importing Polymer Film Bags and Plastic Products into Specially Protected Natural and Biosphere Territories of the Kyrgyz Republic,”
– The amounts of fines for violations of environmental legislation; Activation of the park’s social media pages;
– Jointly with the aiyl okmotu, conduct awareness-raising work for the population on environmental legislation.

The Director of the Kyrgyz-Ata State Nature Park, A. Ergeshov, requested assistance from the Aarhus Center in producing posters and handouts “On the Prohibition of Importing Polymer Film Bags and Plastic Products into Specially Protected Natural and Biosphere Territories of the Kyrgyz Republic” and their harmful impact on the environment.

At the end of the round table, posters of plants, birds, and animals listed in the Red Book of the Kyrgyz Republic were handed over to the Kyrgyz-Ata State Nature Park.

Specialist of the Aarhus Center in Osh, A. Matisaev.