After the forest fire in 2023 in the State Forest Nature Reserve 'Semey Ormany', more than 1 million 59.6 thousand cubic metres of damaged timber was harvested. It is sold through electronic auctions and by written application, however the Ministry of Ecology has not disclosed how much timber has already been sold or how much revenue has been raised.
WHAT VOLUMES OF TIMBER HAVE ALREADY BEEN HARVESTED
According to Belles.kz, from 2024 to 15 July 2026, the 'Semey Ormany' reserve harvested 1 million 59.6 thousand cubic metres of damaged timber. During this period, the following was harvested:
- in 2024 — 159.8 thousand cubic metres;
- in 2025 — 606.1 thousand cubic metres;
- from the start of 2026 to 15 July — 293.7 thousand cubic metres.
It is noted that transporting such a volume of timber would conventionally require approximately 53 thousand fully loaded timber truck journeys, with an average load of around 20 cubic metres per vehicle.
HOW THE TIMBER IS SOLD
The damaged timber is sold through electronic auctions on the state trading platform. In addition, individuals and legal entities can purchase it by written application and according to an approved price list.
The timber is used for the production of sawn timber and other wood-processing products, while part of it is sold as firewood.
At the same time, the Ministry of Ecology has not provided information on how much timber has already been sold or what funds have been received from its sale. Instead, the agency provided general statistics for 2025: 305 lots with a total volume of 4.2 million cubic metres worth 45.2 billion tenge were put up for auction, of which 49 lots were sold.
WHO CARRIES OUT THE SANITARY FELLING
The specific companies carrying out sanitary felling and timber removal are not named in the agency's response.
It is reported that the work is carried out by the reserve itself, subordinate organisations of the Committee for Forestry and Wildlife, units of the Ministry for Emergency Situations (MES) and the Ministry of Defence, as well as contractors and investors.
Before felling begins, specialists conduct a forest pathology survey, after which the areas and volumes of work are determined. After harvesting, the timber is stored at intermediate forest depots of the Borodulikha, Novoshulba and Semey branches of the reserve, as well as at specially designated sites.
HOW THE LEGALITY OF FELLING IS CONTROLLED
According to the Ministry of Ecology, control begins with the forest pathology survey and the preparation of permit documents. Inspections continue during felling operations, upon acceptance of completed work, and during timber transportation.
Control is carried out by the Committee for Forestry and Wildlife, the territorial inspection of forestry and wildlife for the Abai region, the 'Semey Ormany' reserve, and law enforcement agencies. They check documents, conduct planned and unannounced site visits, inspect felling sites, verify timber volumes and the legality of its transportation. If violations are detected, those responsible may be held accountable.
CONTEXT
In June 2023, a major forest fire occurred in 'Semey Ormany', which, according to official data, killed 14 forestry workers. The area of the fire was 60 thousand hectares.
Subsequently, the court of the Borodulikha district of the Abai region found two former heads of the reserve and the Novoshulba branch guilty. Each was sentenced to 7 years' imprisonment.
Earlier, during a press conference of the Central Communications Service (CCS) on 30 April 2026, the founder of the FBKK and journalist Kirill Pavlov asked representatives of the Committee for Forestry and Wildlife how long it would take to restore 'Semey Ormany' after the 2023 fire. In response, the acting chairman of the committee, Maksat Yelemesov, said that the roadmap runs until 2035, but that restoring the forest to its former state would take around 60 years.
