Drones vs. Trash: How Shymkent Keeps the City Clean

Drones vs. Trash: How Shymkent Keeps the City Clean

03.09.2025 09:58:08 299

The "Taza Kala" campaign is underway in Shymkent, aimed at improving public hygiene and fostering a culture of cleanliness among residents. Unlike previous mass cleanups, the current events have taken on a fundamentally new format. Police have been involved in the effort, now using drones to identify violators of public safety regulations. Drones have become an important tool for monitoring the situation in areas difficult for regular patrols to reach, significantly increasing the effectiveness of these raids.

Garbage and illegal dumping have long been one of the city's major problems. Despite regular cleanups and cleanups, residents have repeatedly noticed that piles of waste reappear on the outskirts and vacant lots shortly after cleanup. Under these circumstances, cleaning alone isn't enough to solve the problem; a tool for constant monitoring and identifying violators was needed. Drones now fulfill this role, recording instances of illegal waste dumping and helping to quickly identify the culprits.

Raids are conducted daily. Police deploy drones over industrial zones, ravines, undeveloped land, and vacant lots, where illegal dumps are most common. The drones' cameras record the garbage dumping process, the vehicles, and their license plates. This footage serves as evidence, which is used to prosecute violators. This approach eliminates the possibility of excuses and disputes, as the violation is visually confirmed.

The use of drones has changed the very approach to enforcement. While inspectors previously had to spend hours and even days checking large areas, now a few dozen minutes of drone flight is enough to identify dozens of potential problem areas. Furthermore, the technology allows for covert surveillance, depriving violators of the chance to spot a patrol in advance and avoid punishment.

The public reaction to the innovation was lively. Many residents supported the use of modern technology, noting that strict enforcement and fines are the only way to change the habits of those who flout the rules. Others questioned whether there would be enough resources to cover the entire city. Nevertheless, the idea that cleanliness is impossible without constant monitoring received widespread support.

Unlike previous years, when cleanup efforts were limited primarily to volunteer litter pickups, the current phase of the work aims to address the root cause of pollution. While city cleanup days certainly play an important role in fostering environmental awareness and educating young people, they were unable to completely solve the problem. The new model combines traditional forms of citizen participation with modern monitoring methods, making the fight for cleanliness more effective.

Comparing the current campaign with previous ones, it's clear that the emphasis has shifted from one-time cleanups to ongoing monitoring and punishment of violators. Previously, cleanups provided a temporary effect, after which the situation would return to its original state. Now, the emphasis is on preventative measures, which not only address the consequences but also prevent further violations.

The use of drones is especially important in hard-to-reach areas. These are where illegal dumps often occur, often going undetected for weeks or months. Drones help see the big picture, meaning even minor violations can be detected. This approach allows city authorities and police to be proactive, maintaining order where chaos once reigned.

Raids have revealed that the city has many unscrupulous waste haulers who try to dispose of their waste bypassing official landfills. But now they have virtually no chance of remaining undetected. Drones record everything, and penalties are swift and inevitable. This is creating a new culture of behavior: more and more people are beginning to understand that it's easier and more profitable to comply with the rules than to risk fines.

Such measures are important not only for maintaining public health but also for fostering a new public consciousness. Residents must become accustomed to the idea that keeping the city clean depends on everyone, not just utility services or volunteers. The use of drones helps make this point clear: if there is a violation, it will be noticed and punished.

Thus, the "Taza Kala" campaign has become a step into the future for Shymkent. For the first time, technologies are being widely deployed here that change the approach to maintaining cleanliness and order. This isn't a one-time cleanup, but a system that involves the police, equipment, and residents themselves. Experience has shown that innovations can significantly enhance the effectiveness of traditional measures and make the city cleaner and more comfortable.