On August 2, 2025, a large-scale citywide clean-up day was held in the Abay district of Shymkent as part of the republican campaign "Clean Kazakhstan". One of the key areas for the events was the coastal strip of the Badam River, where the main efforts to clean up garbage and improve the natural space were concentrated.

The initiative brought together more than 300 people – employees of public utilities, representatives of the akimat, employees of various institutions, volunteers, as well as concerned citizens united for a common goal – to clean and tidy up green areas. Over 30 units of special equipment were involved in the cleanup: dump trucks, front-end loaders, watering and cleaning machines, as well as trailers for waste removal.

The main focus of the day was cleaning the Badam River bank from accumulated household and natural waste. During the summer months, a large amount of waste left by vacationers traditionally accumulates here. In addition to cleaning, work was carried out to mow the grass, trim dry branches and bushes, and level the paths along the river.

The distinctive feature of this clean-up day was its large-scale and comprehensive implementation. If earlier similar events were held pointwise — covering individual areas or streets — this time the coverage was much wider. All microdistricts and residential areas of the Abay district took part in the clean-up. The work was carried out not only on the embankment, but also in the courtyards of apartment buildings, near children's and sports grounds, on alleys and near public transport stops.

The clean-up day was accompanied by explanatory work among the population. Residents were reminded of their responsibility for the state of the environment, urged to keep clean and properly dispose of waste. As part of the event, activists distributed leaflets on waste sorting, talked about the harm of plastic waste and the need to take care of nature.

Schoolchildren also took part - many came with their parents. Small interactive lessons on ecology were held for children: how to conserve water, why trees should be protected, why it is important to clean up after yourself. These elements of educational work became an important addition to the physical part of the clean-up day.

It is worth noting that the idea of holding such events is not new for Shymkent. For example, last year, in the summer of 2024, clean-up days were also held in the same district. However, in terms of scale and involvement, the current event surpassed the previous ones. In 2024, as a rule, the events were local in nature, the number of participants was about 150 people, and the equipment was used in limited quantities. This time, city services and the district administration approached the matter with redoubled energy.

The positive experience of the previous year was taken into account when organizing this event. One of the key lessons was the understanding that simple cleaning is only a temporary solution. Therefore, in 2025, the emphasis is on the formation of a sustainable environmental culture among the population. That is why teachers, youth activists, and representatives of non-governmental organizations took part in the preparation and implementation of the campaign.

As the Akimat of the Abay District emphasizes, clean-up days should not be perceived as isolated events. The authorities plan to hold them regularly, involving more and more residents. It is important not only to remove garbage, but also to form a responsible attitude towards the surrounding space in people, to cultivate environmental awareness, starting from a very young age.

Thanks to the efforts of the participants, the banks of Badam became noticeably cleaner. Several tons of garbage were collected, including glass bottles, plastic packaging, branches, leaves and other waste. Removal was carried out centrally, with subsequent sorting and recycling of suitable materials.

At the end of the event, the district akim thanked everyone who took part, noting that only through joint efforts can real and long-term results be achieved in environmental protection. It was also announced that similar clean-up days would be held in other districts of the city in the coming weeks.

Special attention will be paid to river and park areas, as they are the ones that suffer the most from people's irresponsible attitude. In parallel with this, it is planned to install additional urns, signs calling for cleanliness, and organize raids to identify unauthorized dumps.

Thus, the last clean-up day in the Abay district was not just a cleaning event. It turned into a symbol of the unification of residents for the sake of the common good. People from different spheres, different ages and professions worked side by side, realizing that a clean city is not only the task of public services, but also the responsibility of each of us.

It is precisely this kind of cohesion and civic activity that will guarantee that Shymkent will become an increasingly comfortable, environmentally friendly and pleasant city to live in.