On August 23, 2025, a citywide cleanup day was held in Shymkent as part of the national environmental campaign "Taza Kazakstan." The event, commissioned by the city's akim, Gabit Syzdykbekov, brought together a large number of residents, employees of various public and private organizations, students, and volunteers. The goal of the event was to restore sanitary conditions, clean public spaces, remove trash, and raise environmental awareness among the population.

The participation of city veterinary service workers attracted particular attention this time. They not only limited themselves to garbage collection and landscaping, but also carried out sanitary cleaning of areas where stray animals often congregate and those areas that could pose an epidemiological hazard. According to specialists, unauthorized dumps and contaminated sites are a source of infection that can be transmitted to both animals and humans. Therefore, their work during the cleanup day was aimed not only at maintaining a clean appearance but also at ensuring sanitary safety for all city residents.

During the cleanup, participants cleaned dozens of kilometers of irrigation canals, improved parks and courtyards, and removed hundreds of tons of household waste. Much attention was paid to socially significant sites: large-scale cleanup and waste removal efforts were carried out around schools, kindergartens, and medical facilities. Participants noted that such events allow them to feel responsible for the cleanliness and order of their hometown and bring together people of all walks of life and ages.

Comparing this year's cleanup day with previous ones, one can see that the format of the events is gradually expanding. In October 2024, the primary focus was on greening the city, with participants planting over a thousand trees, emphasizing the expansion of green spaces. In August 2025, a few weeks earlier, another citywide cleanup day was held, focusing on cleaning irrigation ditches and removing waste: over 160 tons of waste were removed and tens of kilometers of utility lines were repaired. This time, a distinctive feature was the active participation of the veterinary service, which emphasized the importance of the sanitary component of such events.

The citywide cleanup day took on not only environmental but also social significance. It became a platform for fostering environmental awareness among young people: schoolchildren and students participated in the cleanup alongside adults and learned to recognize that keeping the city clean is a shared responsibility. The presence of veterinary service personnel made it clear that caring for the city involves more than just removing trash but also preventing potential sanitary threats.

August 23rd was further proof that cleanup days in Shymkent have long ceased to be mere formal events. Today, they are becoming an important element of city life, uniting the efforts of various services and residents. This collaborative effort creates not just a clean city, but also a safe and pleasant living environment.

Would you like me to add a photo of the cleanup participants to this version, showing the veterinary service staff in action?