The pilot project «Jerleu․kz», aimed at digitising cemeteries, has been temporarily suspended in Shymkent. The reason was low interest from residents and an insufficient number of applications, which called into question the further development of the initiative.
WHY THE PROJECT WAS SUSPENDED
According to television channel «OTYRAR», public interest was lower than expected. The project involved creating an online map of cemeteries, where users could find information about burial sites.
Head of the Digitalisation Department Mukhit Kemelov reported that the pilot was implemented at one of the large cemeteries in the Turan district.
“Due to the capacity of some cemeteries, it proved inefficient to continue the project further, so it was suspended. Implementation is only ongoing at one site in the Turan district, as that is where the plot was provided. The status is still pilot,” he stated.
According to him, few applications are being received from residents, and training on using the system is proving difficult.
HOW THE SYSTEM WAS SUPPOSED TO WORK
As part of the project, it was planned to map cemeteries onto a digital chart. This would have simplified the search for burial sites and systematised the data.
However, as noted in the article, some residents are not yet ready to accept such solutions. Some consider the service unnecessary, while others express concerns about the dissemination of personal data. Additionally, a significant portion of the city's residents are unaware of the project’s existence.
Some citizens note that having accurate data on burials could make visiting cemeteries easier.
POSITION OF THE CLERGY
Representatives of the clergy supported the initiative. Deputy Chief Imam of the city Mukhamedzhan Estemirov noted that systematising cemeteries helps to find burial sites faster and does not contradict religious norms.
According to him, entering data into a digital system is not objectionable, as it is done in an orderly format and could be useful for the relatives of the deceased.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
A final decision on the complete closure of the project has not been made. The Digitalisation Department admits that the situation could be changed through educational work with the population.