In Astana, construction work has begun between Alikhan Bokeikhan Street and Mangilik El Avenue, which, according to local residents, could lead to the felling of one of the last green areas from the Soviet planning era — the apple orchard of the former 'Zarechny' state farm.
According to the Telegram channel 'HALYQSTAN', residential complexes were previously attempted on this site, but after a change of the city's mayor and protests from residents, the area was defended. The zone was then designated as recreational, and a public garden was laid out along the street.
However, now, bypassing public hearings, the plot has been included in a project for a new two-lane road. A representative of the 'Yesil' district akimat could not explain the purpose of the construction, deferring to the transport department.
'To be honest, I don't even know why he was sent here. He said: the road department decides everything, talk to them. But people are asking for one thing: stop the construction. The construction is already in full swing. They've torn everything up here!' stated Astana maslikhat deputy Serik Tusupov.
According to residents, the amendment to the Master Plan may have been carried out 'on the quiet' — without public discussion.
'No one knows why this road was needed. Essentially, it leads nowhere and just skirts around the perimeter of the orchard,' the report states.
It is noted that machinery has already entered the orchard. Despite its status as a recreational zone, the trees could be destroyed in the near future.
'This isn't just a road. It's millions from the budget, a deterioration of the environment, and the outright destruction of what survived after all these amendments,' the residents believe.
Recall, earlier the editorial board of FBRK covered the issue of development in the public garden in 'Krasnaya Derevnya'. We reported that the Astana Environmental Protection Department, as part of a mediation agreement, undertook to issue a permit to LLP 'Fiesta Hall' for the felling of trees on the site where the company planned to build a multi-storey residential building.
Later, the court declared the felling of the trees illegal, the akimat cancelled the permit for the construction of the residential building, and now a city public garden is planned to be created on the site of the conflict.