On July 26, 2025, a large-scale environmental campaign dedicated to cleaning rivers and canals took place in Shymkent. The event organizers reminded that water is the basis of life, and the cleanliness of waterways is directly related to the future of the city and the health of its residents.

The campaign brought together municipal services, employees of environmental protection agencies, volunteers, youth organizations and activists. About two hundred participants worked along the city canals and on the banks of small rivers. Special equipment, trucks for waste removal and watercraft for cleaning hard-to-reach areas were brought in for the events.

Several tons of garbage were collected in one day, mostly plastic bottles, bags, construction material scraps and household waste. Environmentalists emphasized that such pollution not only spoils the appearance of the city, but also causes serious damage to the ecosystem. Plastic decomposes for decades, pollutes the soil and water with microparticles, and organic waste provokes the growth of harmful microorganisms and attracts rodents.

Cleaning rivers and canals is not just a matter of improvement. It has a direct impact on the urban ecology. Water flowing through clean canals retains its natural ability to nourish greenery without poisoning the soil and plants with chemical compounds.

In addition, clean banks create a favorable environment for birds, fish and insects, supporting the city's biodiversity. In Shymkent, where the temperature rises very high in summer, water and green areas act as a natural air conditioner, softening the microclimate. Therefore, each such action is not only about cleaning up garbage, but also about improving living conditions for all residents of the metropolis.

Experts note that river pollution often causes local environmental crises. Clogged channels reduce the system's capacity, create a risk of flooding, and can become a source of unpleasant odors. Keeping water bodies clean is a preventative measure against many urban problems.

Shymkent holds similar events annually, but their scale and format have changed over the years.

• In 2022, the main focus was on cleaning the central irrigation ditches and canals. Then, about a hundred people took part in one of the clean-up days, and about five tons of waste were removed.
  
  
• In 2023, students and schoolchildren joined the initiative, and the campaign acquired an educational character. Information boards appeared on the banks with a reminder not to throw garbage into the water.
  
  
• In 2024, separate waste collection was introduced for the first time - plastic, glass and organic waste were collected separately and sent for recycling. This became an important step towards the formation of an environmental culture among residents.
  
  

The current campaign in 2025 was the most comprehensive. It combined mechanized cleaning, manual garbage collection, waste sorting and simultaneous outreach work among the population. Volunteers talked to passers-by, explained the harm caused by water pollution and encouraged participation in future environmental initiatives.

The organizers emphasize that the cleanliness of rivers and canals is not only the responsibility of public utilities. Each city resident bears personal responsibility for the environment. A bottle or a bag thrown into the water is not a trifle, but a contribution to the destruction of the ecosystem.

Formation of ecological culture requires systematic work: from school lessons and competitions to city senbiliks and information campaigns. Experience from previous years shows that participation of residents directly influences the result. Where people regularly go out to clean up and monitor the condition of their neighborhood, there is noticeably less garbage.

Following the event, city services outlined plans to further strengthen environmental safety:

1. Monthly monitoring of the state of canals and rivers.
   
   
2. Installing additional warning signs and surveillance cameras in areas prone to littering.
   
   
3. Development of a system for separate waste collection along water bodies and in residential areas.
   
   
4. Organization of regular public events and campaigns to educate citizens.
   
   

These measures will help create a sustainable urban ecosystem where the cleanliness of water is directly related to the quality of life. Clean channels reduce the risk of diseases, prevent unpleasant odors and create an attractive environment for recreation and tourism.

Cleaning rivers and canals is a step not only towards a well-maintained but also towards a healthy city. Experience from previous years shows that systematic measures and citizen participation can radically change the environmental situation. The July 30 campaign once again reminded us that ecology is a shared responsibility. Every bag thrown into a bin, not into the water, is a contribution to the future, where Shymkent will remain a clean, green and safe city to live in.