On August 13, 2025, during a scheduled inspection in the Karatau district of Shymkent, a fact of illegal possession of state land was revealed. According to the results of the inspection, one resident crossed the boundaries of his land plot and independently fenced off the adjacent state-owned territory. Such an act is considered a gross violation of the requirements established by the Land Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Based on the identified facts, the materials will be sent to the relevant state bodies, and administrative measures will be taken against the offender.

Illegal land acquisition is not only an administrative offense, but also an act contrary to the public interest. The situation in the Karatau district is a clear proof of this. State lands are the common property of all citizens, and their arbitrary acquisition not only narrows the areas accessible to the public, but also hinders urban planning, the construction of roads, utility networks or social facilities. The construction of illegal structures on such lands leads to non-compliance with safety standards, as well as violation of sanitary and environmental requirements.

In the case identified, the resident moved the fence in order to expand the area of his yard and annexed the neighboring state-owned land for private use. This area restricts the free movement of the population and to a certain extent the possibilities of landscaping or public use. At the same time, the illegal appropriation poses a risk of harm to the environment: the natural drainage system of the area may be disrupted and greenery may be damaged.

Articles 43 and 145 of the Land Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan strictly prohibit cases of misuse and illegal appropriation of land. Such actions are subject to administrative liability in the form of a warning or fine, and in serious cases - forced return of land to state ownership. Detection of violations is the result of joint work of the land inspection, akimat, architecture and urban planning departments, as well as land cadastre services.

This situation once again highlights the importance of raising the level of legal literacy among the population. Many residents are completely unaware of or ignore the rules of land use and the procedure for determining boundaries. As a result, cases of illegal possession often end in disputes between neighbors, violations of building codes, and lawsuits. The Shymkent city administration plans to intensify explanatory work for residents to prevent such incidents: explanations will be provided through meetings, legal consultations, information brochures, and social networks.

If we look at the experience of previous years, similar cases have been recorded several times. In 2023, it was revealed that the borders of 8 land plots in Abay district were illegally expanded, and a total area of 0.9 hectares of state land was appropriated. And in 2024, in Enbekshy district, a businessman illegally fenced off part of a public sidewalk to install a shopping pavilion. In these cases, too, the materials were sent to court, and the land was returned to the state.

In comparison, this year's inspections are being conducted more systematically than ever before. In 2025, the city administration, together with the land inspection, began using drone aerial photography, comparison with electronic cadastral maps, and GPS measurement technologies. These methods allow for faster and more accurate identification of illegal structures and fences.

The introduction of such modern approaches will help to reduce the public's indifference to land legislation. First, residents will understand that violations of the law cannot remain hidden. Second, as a result of information work, people will become familiar with the procedure for registering land boundaries, the list of required documents, and ways to obtain permits from government agencies.

Increasing the legal literacy of the population not only prevents violations, but also strengthens the principles of justice and the rule of law in society. State lands are a common wealth that is passed down from generation to generation, and its protection is the duty of every citizen. Therefore, maintaining order in the field of land relations is the common responsibility of not only state bodies, but also of the entire society.

The recent incident in the Karatau district is not just an illegal act of an individual citizen, but should also serve as a lesson for society as a whole. As examples from previous years show, if preventive measures are taken in a timely and comprehensive manner, the number of such offenses will significantly decrease. And the use of new technologies and an open information policy will make work in this direction more effective.