In Shymkent, local residents have reported a sharp deterioration in air quality in areas adjacent to the city's industrial zones. Inspections by the relevant authorities have confirmed instances of entrepreneurs violating environmental standards.
According to Kazinform, the Department of Entrepreneurship and Industrial-Innovative Development, there are 312 enterprises operating in seven industrial zones of the city, covering a total area of 1,276 hectares, with a workforce of more than 8,000 people.
However, it is reported that a number of companies are systematically violating environmental requirements, which has led to numerous complaints from the public.
The department clarified that the highest number of complaints relate to enterprises located in the "Ońtústik" and "Ordabasy" zones.
"While in the first half of the year 34 administrative cases were initiated, with total fines amounting to 23.5 million tenge, there are now 50 administrative cases, and the fines imposed have exceeded 37.6 million tenge, of which 32.6 million tenge have been paid into the state budget," the statement said.
It has become known that during the inspections, the Department of Ecology issued 29 orders to eliminate violations. Specialists inspected 12 large enterprises, including "High Industrial Lubricants & Liquids Corporation", "China-Kazakhstan Manganese Industrial Group", "TsvetLit", "Element 5", "EcoShina", "Category DM", "Alaman Bereke", "ENN", "Hermes-B.E.", Sole Trader "Khabibulla", "TRM", "VegaSmelting".
As reported by the acting head of the Department of Ecology, Sabyr Balybek, four enterprises did not comply with the orders and were charged under Article 462, Part 3 of the Administrative Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan ("Failure to comply with lawful demands of officials"). The specialised inter-district court imposed fines and suspended the companies' operations for various periods.
Furthermore, for operating without an environmental permit, enterprises were charged under Article 328, Part 4 of the Administrative Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan ("Violation of standards for permissible anthropogenic impact on the environment"). Fines were also imposed for these violations, and suspension measures were applied.