On August 13, 2025, in the Karatau district of Shymkent, during a routine inspection, a case of unauthorized seizure of a state land plot was discovered. Inspectors found that one of the local residents expanded the boundaries of his yard, moved the fence and included in it a territory that is in state ownership.

The violation is considered serious, since such actions contradict the provisions of the Land Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan and violate the rights of citizens to access common areas. The case materials have already been transferred to the competent authorities for consideration and application of administrative measures. Possible sanctions include a fine and an obligation to return the land to its original state.

The case in Karatau district has once again shown that unauthorized expansion of private land can have wider consequences than it seems at first glance. Land in the state fund is intended for use in the interests of the entire community. These can be pedestrian zones, green spaces, utility corridors for communications, as well as areas reserved for social infrastructure. When such lands are fenced off and used for private purposes, this not only limits access for residents, but can also violate city development plans, interfere with the installation of utility networks or landscaping.

In this case, according to the inspection, the unauthorized seizure of land potentially created risks for the ecology of the area. The change in boundaries could affect natural drainage and also lead to damage to green spaces. At the same time, in such situations, conflicts often arise between neighbors, which can develop into legal proceedings.

The Land Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan clearly sets out the rules for ownership and use of land plots, including the procedure for determining boundaries and registering them. Any expansion of the territory is possible only after agreement with the relevant government agencies and amendments to the cadastral documents. Ignoring these procedures entails administrative liability and, in the event of a refusal to voluntarily eliminate the violation, forced seizure of land in favor of the state.

If we look at the events of past years, it becomes clear that such violations are recorded in Shymkent regularly. In 2023, in the Abay district, an inspection revealed eight cases where landowners arbitrarily moved fences and occupied almost a hectare of municipal land in total. Then all the seized territories were returned to the state through the court. In 2024, in the Yenbekshinsky district, an entrepreneur, without permission from the authorities, installed a trade pavilion, occupying part of the public sidewalk. This case also ended with the dismantling of the structure and administrative punishment.

The difference this year is that the inspections have become more technologically advanced and targeted. In 2025, specialists began actively using aerial photography from drones, data comparison with electronic cadastral maps and GPS measurements. This made it possible to identify violations faster, more accurately determine boundaries and collect evidence that is difficult to dispute. This approach increases the effectiveness of control and reduces the number of protracted disputes.

In addition to control, the city authorities and relevant services pay attention to the prevention of such violations. Meetings with residents are held regularly, where the main norms of land legislation, the procedure for registering boundaries and the possible consequences of unauthorized actions are explained. Information leaflets and publications on social networks are distributed, and videos with explanations are prepared. All this is aimed at ensuring that residents understand that land is not only personal property, but also common property that must be handled responsibly.

Such measures are especially important in conditions where the city's population is growing and free land within the city limits is becoming an increasingly valuable resource. Any violation of land use regulations can slow down the implementation of projects to build schools, kindergartens, parks and roads.

The situation in Karatau district is not just an isolated incident, but a reminder to all citizens of the need to comply with the law and respect common interests. As examples from previous years show, where prevention and control are carried out comprehensively, the number of such cases decreases. An open information policy also plays an important role - when residents see that violations are not ignored, this forms an understanding in society of the inevitability of responsibility.

Thus, the fight against illegal land seizure in Shymkent is not only the work of inspectors and lawyers, but also a question of the general culture of law-abidingness. The higher the level of legal literacy of the population, the less likely it is that someone will decide to appropriate an extra piece of land, hoping that it will go unnoticed. The experience of past years and new technologies allow us to hope that in the future there will be fewer such violations, and the city will be able to manage its territories more effectively, developing infrastructure and improving the living conditions of citizens.