On July 28, 2025, another large-scale sanitary campaign was held in the Abay district of Shymkent city as part of the eco-project "Taza Kazakhstan". Work on sanitary pruning of green spaces, mowing grass, washing streets and sidewalks were concentrated on the busiest residential areas, including park areas, adjacent territories and public spaces. The event involved employees of the district akim's office, public utilities, representatives of the contracting organization KazStroyCapital, as well as volunteers from among active citizens.

In total, about 100 people took part, specialized equipment was used: water trucks, tractors with attachments and loaders. During the day of work, municipal services collected and removed about three tons of garbage, removed dozens of dry trees and cut hundreds of meters of weeds. But behind these figures lies a much deeper effect, primarily an environmental one.

Today, when cities are faced with the growing effects of climate change, air pollution and degradation of green spaces, each such event plays a role not just for improvement, but for strategic purposes. The Abay district of Shymkent is densely populated, with a high density of development, and the presence of well-maintained green infrastructure is critically important here.

Sanitary pruning of trees and shrubs is not just aesthetics. It is a measure that prevents the spread of pests, plant diseases and even possible sources of fire. In the hot southern summer, abandoned and dried branches pose a real threat to both the environment and the safety of residents. Cosmetic and sanitary pruning improves tree aeration, promotes their rejuvenation and sustainable growth, and therefore better absorption of carbon dioxide.

Mowing the grass and removing weeds is another important factor, especially in the fight against insects that carry diseases. In Shymkent, in recent years, there has been an increase in complaints about mosquitoes and ticks in the summer season. Abandoned grass areas become their natural shelters. Keeping the vegetation clean and short is prevention. And prevention is not only biological, but also psychological. A clean yard is a completely different perception of the urban environment, especially for the elderly and children.

It is worth mentioning the activities on washing sidewalks and roadways separately. This is important not only in terms of sanitation, but also in terms of reducing the level of dust in the air. In the summer, dryness and heat make the streets a potential source of aerosol pollution. Fine dust, mixed with particles of asphalt, plastic and other microscopic pollutants, settles in the respiratory tract, causing allergies, asthma and other respiratory diseases. Washing the streets helps to reduce this risk several times.

Compared to previous years, the format of such events is becoming more and more comprehensive. If earlier — in 2022–2023 — clean-up days were mostly one-off, limited to garbage collection and curb painting, today the approach has become strategically thought-out. Based on satellite monitoring and akimat data, priority areas with high population density and the greatest environmental impact are identified. First of all, areas with a deficit of green spaces, increased air pollution levels and citizen appeals are processed.

In addition, the involvement of the residents themselves is growing every year. People are beginning to understand that a clean environment is not only the responsibility of the state, but also of each citizen. More and more young people, schoolchildren, and volunteers are participating in such events. They receive basic knowledge of urban ecology, learn how to care for trees, how to properly dispose of waste, and which plants protect the soil from weathering.

The city ecosystem is a living organism that reacts to any impact. Timely landscaping, maintaining cleanliness and sanitation, preventing pests and droughts are factors that together increase the climatic stability of the urban environment. The noise level decreases, the temperature stabilizes, the air humidity increases, and the number of diseases decreases.

It is important that city authorities realize that ecology is not only parks and tree plantings. It is also the protection of existing green areas, supporting their viability and functionality. That is why, as part of the campaign, a preliminary diagnosis of the condition of trees was carried out, and in the future, it is planned to launch a project for digital registration of city plantings.

Thus, July 28 has become more than just a day of cleaning. This is the date when ecology emerged from the shadow of routine clean-up days and became part of a conscious city policy. And if such events become regular, with the participation of residents, experts and the administration, Shymkent will receive not only clean streets, but also a healthy, sustainable and comfortable urban environment.