The Abay District Prosecutor's Office has reduced land use violations.
01.09.2025 09:50:59 291.png)
On September 1, 2025, the Abay District Prosecutor's Office in Shymkent summarized the results of its work to ensure legality in land use. The results showed that systemic measures and new enforcement technologies significantly reduce violations and restore state control over land resources.
During the reporting period, the primary focus was on the issue of illegal land seizures, misuse of land, and failure to utilize it for economic purposes. A large-scale inspection revealed 1,087 instances of illegal land seizures. As a result of the measures taken, 142 plots previously occupied by non-residential buildings were vacated. These actions not only restored legality but also prevented further infringement of the interests of the state and citizens.
The prosecutor's office is pursuing not only administrative measures but also criminal prosecutions. This year, ten individuals involved in the illegal sale of land plots have been prosecuted. Seven of them have already received court sentences, and the cases of three more are under investigation. This approach demonstrates the authorities' determination to combat land fraud with harsh methods, eliminating impunity.
To strengthen oversight, mobile teams have been established to conduct weekly monitoring of the territories. Their work is based on the use of modern technologies, including satellite imagery, drones, and analytical systems with elements of artificial intelligence. These tools make it possible to identify illegal construction and signs of squatting at an early stage.
The results of these measures are clear: no new cases of unauthorized land seizures have been recorded in the Abay District over the past two years. This demonstrates that the monitoring is working toward prevention, educating potential violators about the inevitability of punishment.
Equally important was the prevention of land misuse. Inspections revealed ten commercial properties, totaling 5.4 hectares, that were being used in violation of regulations. The market value of these plots was 141 million tenge. Following the prosecutor's office's investigation, these lands were returned to the state, and an additional 10 million tenge was recovered for six plots.
In total, 91.9 hectares of land worth 4.5 billion tenge were returned to the state. This is a significant contribution to the formation of the land fund, which can subsequently be used for infrastructure development, construction of social facilities, and expansion of green spaces in the city.
Comparing current results with previous years reveals significant progress. Just a few years ago, illegal occupations and construction were primarily detected through complaints from residents, leading to delayed action and protracted legal proceedings. Today, drones and satellite monitoring allow for prompt action, preventing violators from causing irreversible consequences.
For example, in 2018–2019, the issue of "shadow" landowners who were constructing buildings and selling plots without permission was a hot topic in Shymkent. Back then, identifying violations took months, sometimes even years. Now, such situations are resolved within weeks, if not days, thanks to the use of digital technologies and the coordinated work of the prosecutor's office.
It's also noteworthy that the current measures are comprehensive. They involve not only identifying violations but also systematically documenting territories, creating legal conditions for the fair distribution of land, and returning illegally used land to the state. This allows not only for the elimination of specific violations but also for the development of a long-term strategy for rational land use.
The return of land to the state fund is also important for the district's economy. The released plots can be used for the construction of schools, medical facilities, roads, and public amenities. Furthermore, the state gains the opportunity to attract investors to the development of industrial zones and agriculture, creating new jobs for residents.
It's worth emphasizing that the work of the Abay District Prosecutor's Office is consistent with Kazakhstan's overall state policy of establishing order in land relations. National efforts are underway to combat illegal land transactions, create mechanisms for transparent land distribution, and strengthen digitalization of land control. Shymkent's experience demonstrates that such a policy produces tangible results when technology is deployed locally and public oversight is encouraged.
Prevention is also becoming an important factor. Informing the public about the consequences of illegal land use and conducting outreach to entrepreneurs and landowners fosters a culture of legality and reduces the risk of repeat violations.
Thus, the work of the Abay District Prosecutor's Office demonstrates that a combination of legal measures, technology, and organizational efforts can transform the land use situation. The return of land to state ownership and the reduction in violations confirm the effectiveness of a comprehensive approach.
These achievements can be seen as an important step toward establishing a fair and transparent land use system in Shymkent. If this work continues, it will ultimately ensure the city's sustainable development and increase public trust in government institutions.