Deputy Erkayim Seitkazieva emphasized the need for standards for the placement of landfills and the consideration of illegal dumps. She noted that local authorities require methodological support and practical assistance for the effective organization of these facilities.
Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision Meder Mashiev stressed that the waste management issue remains critical for the country. As part of the administrative-territorial reform, an inventory of illegal dumps was conducted. "Previously, 411 such landfills were registered in the country, but thanks to the reform, their number has been reduced to 290. Nevertheless, this is just the first step, and we continue to strengthen our efforts in this direction," the minister reported.
He explained that most of these landfills initially arose illegally and did not have official status. For comparison, the minister provided data on the situation in Uzbekistan, where, despite a population of about 40 million people, only about 120 official landfills operate.
The meeting also highlighted the issue of the landfill in the village of Gagarin in the Issyk-Ata district, which is actively used by the city of Kant. One of the deputies noted that during the summer, this landfill is constantly on fire, posing a danger to the health of local residents.
Meder Mashiev reported on the ministry's collaboration with international partners to implement projects in the field of waste sorting and recycling. A waste processing plant is already successfully operating in Bishkek, and an increase in its capacity is planned. The issue of waste disposal from neighboring districts of the Chui region, including the Kemin and Issyk-Ata districts, is also being considered.
The deputy urged the ministry to expedite the implementation of these projects, emphasizing that residents of the region regularly raise this issue, especially in the summer when smoke from the burning landfill significantly worsens the ecological situation and the quality of life for the population.
