(3 February 2026 | Source: press service of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan)
The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, together with the General Prosecutor's Office, is launching systemic measures against illegal water abstraction. The agencies have prepared a comprehensive plan that combines oversight, digitalisation, and the involvement of law enforcement authorities. The authorities hope this will reduce shadow schemes for water distribution and make resource management more transparent.
WHO ATTENDED THE MEETING
Minister Nurzhan Nurzhigitov took part in an inter-agency meeting chaired by the General Prosecutor Berik Asylov.
Also attending the meeting were the heads of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, law enforcement agencies, and deputy akims of the regions. The parties discussed cooperation and the current results of the fight against unauthorised water use.
According to the agencies, reports were heard on identified violations and measures already taken.
WHAT THE ROADMAP INCLUDES
The developed document provides for several areas:
- audit of water resources;
- creation of risk zone maps for illegal water abstraction;
- audit of financial funds allocated for the development of water management infrastructure;
- introduction of water-saving technologies;
- anti-corruption measures.
In addition, at the republican and regional levels, inter-agency working groups are promised to be formed with the participation of law enforcement representatives who have operational search powers.
DIGITAL CONTROL AND DATA EXCHANGE
A separate section is dedicated to digitalisation. It is planned to digitise the management and distribution processes of irrigation water, and to introduce tools for digital and satellite monitoring and accounting.
Mandatory data exchange between law enforcement and state bodies is also envisaged. This is expected to simplify the identification of violations and control over compliance by farmers with established water use limits and target indicators for crop diversification.
MINISTER'S POSITION
According to Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, last year's experience showed that comprehensive and coordinated actions by all authorised bodies are necessary to eliminate the 'black market' for water.
"No violator of the law should escape responsibility. I am confident that the developed Roadmap will become an effective tool in this regard," the minister emphasised.