On August 15, an environmental campaign was held in Shymkent as part of the republican project "Taza Kazakhstan". The organizers were the "AMANAT" party and the apparatus of the Akim of the Al-Farabi district. The venue was one of the most significant natural sites of the city - the Koshkar-Ata River, the banks of which have long needed a general cleaning.

The event was attended by party representatives, district akimat employees, utility services and active residents. In total, dozens of vehicles and hundreds of volunteers came out. Their efforts helped collect and remove several tons of garbage that had been accumulating for months and sometimes years. Plastic bottles, bags, branches, construction waste and even old household items were removed from the coastal zone and the riverbed itself.

The Koshkar-Ata River occupies a special place in the lives of Shymkent residents. It is not only a natural source of water, but also a historically significant object, with which many legends are associated. Maintaining its purity directly affects the ecological state of the city, as well as the health of citizens. That is why the action aroused great interest and brought together a wide range of participants - from government officials to ordinary residents.

Cleaning the shore became not only a practical event, but also a symbolic step, emphasizing the importance of caring for nature. After all, the condition of such objects as Koshkar-Ata shows the level of environmental culture of the entire society.

This is not the first time that such clean-ups have been held on the Koshkar-Ata River. For example, last August, a mass clean-up was also organized, during which more than 150 tons of waste were collected. Then, students and schoolchildren joined the action, which gave the event an educational character. In the summer of 2024, the river bank was cleaned as part of a youth environmental camp: for a week in a row, teenagers and volunteers were busy cleaning up, whitewashing trees, and installing trash cans.

In comparison, this clean-up day was more organized. The organizers focused not only on cleaning, but also on educational work. Residents were told about the importance of sorting waste, the benefits of recycling, and why it is unacceptable to throw garbage into water bodies. Thus, the event was not only practical, but also educational.

One of the features of the clean-up day was that all participants worked as equals. Officials, utility workers, party activists and ordinary citizens stood in one row, cleaning up trash and tidying up. This created an atmosphere of unity and showed that the cleanliness of the city is a shared responsibility.

Particularly noteworthy is the participation of young people. Students and schoolchildren who came to the event demonstrated activity and diligence. Many of them noted that such events not only help improve the environment, but also instill in the younger generation a sense of patriotism and responsibility for their small homeland.

The cleanliness of the river bank is important not only for the environment. It is an important element of urban development and the attractiveness of Shymkent. It is difficult to imagine a modern metropolis without clean recreation areas where city dwellers can come with their families. A well-kept bank of the Koshkar-Ata can become not only a favorite place for walks, but also a tourist attraction.

In addition, the preservation of natural objects is directly related to the quality of life in the city. Clean water and fresh air are the basis of public health. Therefore, each such event becomes a contribution to the future of Shymkent.

As a result of the clean-up, the river bank was noticeably transformed: the sidewalks were cleared, dry branches were cut, and landscaping elements were painted. But the main victory was not only the tons of garbage removed, but the change in people's attitudes toward the environment.

The organizers emphasized that such events will continue, and anyone can take part in them. The goal is not just to clean the area once, but to form a sustainable habit of caring for cleanliness.

Thus, the clean-up day on Koshkar-Ata became an important event in the ecological life of the city. It showed that only through joint efforts can real changes be achieved. The experience of past years confirms: such initiatives bring long-term effects, because clean nature is not a one-time action, but constant work.

Shymkent is gradually moving towards becoming a modern and environmentally sustainable metropolis. And every such step, whether it is cleaning the river or planting trees, brings the city closer to this goal.