Between July 7-13, 2021 Mr. Paul Schumacher, ECO-ARAL Project Manager, as well as experts Mr. Zlatko Tadic and Mr. Kairat Yegezhanov met with representatives of national partner organizations, presented project activities in Kazakhstan, discussed current needs and further joint activities.
During the meeting with Mrs. Shalabekova A.L., Vice-Minister of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources of the RK, the parties discussed the priorities in the sphere of the Aral Sea dried bottom afforestation, integrated landscape monitoring and mapping of the Aral Sea dried bottom, adaptation to climate change, fishery development, involving local population in environmental activities.
At the meeting with Mrs. Abdykalykova G.N., Akim of Kyzylorda province, discussed the main problems and challenges in the region, stressed the need for a scientific approach to the planning of water resources, fisheries development, planting saxaul on the dried seabed, as well as the use of water-saving technologies and monitoring water use.
In Aktau, Mr. Niyazov G.M., Deputy Akim of Mangistau province, mentioned similar problems in Mangistau province with Aral Sea region and informed about necessity of saxaul planting to restrain sands movement, strengthening material and technical supply of forest institutions, developing greenhouse industry and desalination water for drinking and agriculture. Also, the parties discussed the importance of introducing new technologies in agriculture, development of greenhouse industry, analysis of agricultural sector of the region for priority tasks.
At the same time, with the support of IFAS ED in Kazakhstan and the Barsakelmes State Nature Reserve, project representatives got acquainted with the region of Kyzylorda province and visited the dried bottom of the Aral Sea. Mr. Bekniyaz B.K., Director of IFAS ED in Kazakhstan, presented activities of the Fund, plans for the coming years for the conservation of the Aral Sea, and proposed a number of projects for cooperation.
As a result of all meetings conducted, partner organizations expressed the willingness to further strengthen cooperation and render all-round support to the project in Kazakhstan.