The Ile-Alatau State National Nature Park has not yet issued permission for tree felling as part of the road construction project under the Almaty Superski scheme. Further decisions will be made after receiving the results of the environmental impact assessment and the preparation of the forest project.
WHAT THE MINISTRY OF ECOLOGY REPORTED
According to the Vice-Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan, Nurken Sharbiyev, the national park has not yet issued permission for tree felling for the road construction within the framework of the Almaty Mountain Cluster project and Almaty Superski, as reported by the Telegram channel ‘QOS live’.
As the Vice-Minister explained, a decision can only be made after receiving the results of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) and the development of the forest project. According to him, no felling is currently taking place.
WHY DATA ON RED BOOK TREES EMERGED
According to Almaty eco-activists, the construction of the road in the Almaty Mountain Cluster is expected to involve the removal of 3,105 trees, of which 472 are species listed in the Red Book.
Nurken Sharbiyev reported that the marked trees were previously recorded during forest pathology surveys. The materials do not specify which tree species are on the Red Book list.
When asked about the fate of such trees, the Vice-Minister stated that recommendations for their replanting would be considered as much as possible during the preparation of the forest project.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF ILLEGAL FELLING IS DETECTED
Nurken Sharbiyev stated that if confirmed cases of tree felling without appropriate permits are found, such actions will be considered illegal.
He called for photo and video materials to be sent to the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. According to the Vice-Minister, the department will conduct an investigation, and if violations are confirmed, those responsible will be held accountable.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE ALMATY SUPERSKI PROJECT
According to the Deputy Prime Minister — Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva, the Almaty Superski project is being considered as part of the development of the Almaty Mountain Cluster, not as a separate commercial entity.
The project envisages the creation of a unified ‘Medeu – Shymbulak – Kok-Zhaylau – Kumbel’ system. This could include cable cars, visitor centres, observation decks, and sanitary infrastructure.