In 2024, for the first time in the history of the country's forestry sector, 47 billion tenge was allocated for the material and technical equipment of forestry institutions.
According to the press service of the Ministry of Ecology, the funds were provided taking into account the 72% wear and tear of existing equipment.
This made it possible to completely renew the vehicle fleet in the most fire-prone forestry institutions of the Zhetysu region, Akmola, East Kazakhstan, Kostanay, Pavlodar, North Kazakhstan, Almaty, Zhambyl, Aktobe, Atyrau and Kyzylorda regions.
Using budget funds and leasing, 428 fire engines, 389 small forest fire complexes, 387 tractors and 104 patrol vehicles were purchased.
It is noted that from July 1st, employees of forest fire stations were given a supplement of 100% of their official salary.
Recall that in June last year, a major fire occurred in the forests of the Abay region, which resulted in the deaths of 14 employees of the "Semey Ormany" forest nature reserve. The fire destroyed over 63,000 hectares of unique relict pine forest. The damage exceeded 160 billion tenge.
Later, two people who held leadership positions in the reserve and the Novoshulbinsky branch received 7-year prison sentences.
In July of this year, it was reported that the director of the "Semey Ormany" reserve branch was detained in the Abay region. He is suspected of stealing timber. In addition to him, law enforcement officers detained over 20 people.
Furthermore, after an inspection by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, it became known that the Pavlodar, Akmola and Kostanay regions, as well as the "Semey Ormany" reserve, were unprepared for potential fires.