Petropavlovsk Botanical Garden has faced disagreements over an administrative and amenity building and problems with funding ahead of the winter season. The head of the complex, Artur Ryazapov, is concerned about the team's working conditions and the preservation of the plants. According to the akimat, the owner of the building has already been paid 170.3 million tenge, but the re-registration of the property has not been completed.
WHY THE DISPUTE AROSE OVER THE BUILDING
As reported by Centralmedia24, after the botanical garden received protected status in the summer of 2026, disagreements arose between the head of the complex and the city authorities over the administrative and amenity building.
According to Artur Ryazapov, the premises are an important part of the complex. It houses laboratories, museum exhibitions and aviaries with exotic birds. The main part of the garden's property passed to the state, but the brick administrative and amenity building remained the property of a partnership linked to the Ryazapov family.
According to the head's written account, on 3 August 2026, during a visit by the akim of Petropavlovsk, repairs and the further development of the garden were discussed. The transfer of the building to the state and the buyout of the land lease right, valid until 2065, were also discussed.
Ryazapov claims that the family proposed alternative options — leasing the building or placing it under trust management — but no agreement could be reached. He also states that he signed the documents under duress.
WHY THE TEAM IS WORRIED ABOUT THE GARDEN'S FUTURE
For Ryazapov, the dispute concerns not only ownership but also the working conditions of specialists. He fears that during reconstruction, decisions may be made without sufficient consideration of the views of employees who are responsible for the plants and animals.
According to the head, during the discussion of the repairs, it was proposed to remove part of the old metal structures, demolish internal partitions and relocate the exotic birds.
On 23 July 2026, it became known that a dendrological park with the status of a specially protected natural area of local significance would be created on the basis of the complex. This status protects the territory from commercial development and sale, but in itself does not resolve the dispute over the ownership of the administrative building.
WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH FUNDING AHEAD OF WINTER
At the end of September 2026, Ryazapov reported problems with funding amid the transfer of the complex from regional to city subordination. According to him, the garden is being transferred to the management of the city's housing and communal services (HCS) department, and regional funding has already stopped.
The head claims that the September salary was paid using funds intended for utilities and the maintenance of the complex. At the time of his appeal, the source of funding for the October salary remained unclear.
Ryazapov also reported a delay in the flushing and pressure testing of the heating system. For greenhouses with tropical and subtropical plants, preparation for the cold is of particular importance.
WHAT THE PETROPAVLOVSK AKIMAT RESPONDED
The Petropavlovsk akimat said that it had proposed that the owner sell the administrative and amenity building with a greenhouse at 41 Yuri Medvedev Street for the preservation and further development of the garden. According to the authorities, the parties reached an agreement during the negotiations.
An independent valuation company determined the value of the property at 152 million tenge, and taking into account value added tax (VAT), the amount came to 170.3 million tenge. According to the akimat, the money was fully transferred to the owner on 19 December 2025 on the basis of a signed agreement.
At the same time, the re-registration of the property has not been completed. The authorities explain this by saying that the owner did not provide all the necessary documents.
The akimat also reported that the 2026 budget provides 50 million tenge for the garden's winter maintenance. The issue of funding for 2027 will be considered when the budget for the corresponding year is drawn up and approved. In addition, the authorities clarified that the botanical garden has heating.
