The FBRK editorial team regularly covers the issue of the drying up of the Maly Taldykol lake group in Astana, linked to the intensive construction on its territory. We have examined over 100 plots and analysed more than 360 hectares of land. Concluding this feature, the FBRK editorial team has compiled a list of the largest privatised plots in Maly Taldykol and their owners.
Top 5 largest land plots by area:
- Plot with cadastral number 21-320-135-5788, area 57.6645 hectares (owner - LLC «City Centre for Investment Development «AstanaInvest»);
- Plot with cadastral number 21-320-135-4678, area 34.0189 hectares (owner - LLC «City Centre for Investment Development «AstanaInvest»);
- Plot with cadastral number 21-320-135-5789, area 14.6652 hectares (owner - JSC «Astana-Technopolis»);
- Plot with cadastral number 21-320-135-4687, area 11.6054 hectares (owner - LLC «City Centre for Investment Development «AstanaInvest»);
- Plot with cadastral number 21-320-135-5376, area 11.1518 hectares (owner - JSC «Astana-Technopolis»).
Top 5 largest landowners:
- LLC «City Centre for Investment Development «AstanaInvest» (13 plots with a total area of 136.4518 hectares);
- JSC «Astana-Technopolis» (27 plots with a total area of 108.6574 hectares);
- LLC «Nomad Stroy Company» (11 plots with a total area of 34.1575 hectares);
- LLC «Bazis–A CORP.» (25 plots with a total area of 18.8225 hectares);
- «SAT» chain of construction companies (6 plots with a total area of 6.142 hectares).
For over 4 years, public figures and activists have been fighting for the preservation of the Taldykol wetlands. Since Altai Kulginov ordered the area to be given over for development, the shores of the Maly Taldykol lakes have been rapidly becoming littered with construction waste.
Today it is absolutely clear that, having drained Taldykol, the city akimat has set about destroying an entire ecosystem. But will anyone pay heed to the activists' protests when there is money to be made? Mr Kulginov certainly did not.
Nor was anyone troubled by the fact that among the new buildings there is social housing which requires servicing. «Affordable housing on the left bank» needs to be supplied with water, heating and electricity, and its residents often need to find employment too.
Initially, such housing was built with less strain in mind. When people began to complain about the lack of water and heating, it became clear that the infrastructure is worn out and resources are insufficient.
One can only hope that the city akimat ultimately intends to address the consequences of Mr Kulginov's illegal activities, and, crucially, to take measures for the preservation of the disappearing lakes.
For context, earlier public figure and journalist Kirill Pavlov sent an official inquiry to the city akimat to establish whether work is being carried out in this regard. We are still waiting to receive clear answers to the questions raised.