Astana’s green belt is set to nearly double in size over the coming years. Specialists are currently conducting scientific tests, which will be followed by the design and site-marking stages before the actual planting begins. According to experts, the entire process will take about five years. The creation of the green belt around Astana began in the late 1990s, when nearly 15,000 hectares of forest were planted across the steppe. As a result, dust storms in the capital have become three times less frequent, according to meteorologists. The forest has also become a major attraction.
«A bicycle path was built in the southwestern part of the area, with a total length of 26 kilometers. Then, in 2020, a 13.2-kilometer horse trail was created. Today, beautiful fir trees, birches, and pines grow here. We have created this beautiful forest,» noted Ardak Khassenov, Chief Agronomist of Astana Ormany LLP.
Today, this man-made forest is home to 36 tree species. The wildlife has also returned. Hares appeared first, followed by foxes and corsac foxes. Roe deer and even moose have now been spotted, while various birds are also arriving. This result is the product of the hard work of dozens of people. One of them is Kanatbek Sametov. A machine operator by profession, he has been working as a forester for nearly ten years and knows every corner of the area.
«I really enjoy this job because we get to work
outdoors in nature. It’s great for our health – we stay active, walk a lot, and
breathe fresh air. So, it’s both work and pleasure, with one complementing the
other,» shared forester
Kanatbek Sametov.
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