On September 10, 2025, a visiting meeting of the Environmental Council of the city branch of the AMANAT party was held in Shymkent. The meeting focused on an issue that directly affects the lives and well-being of residents of the Zhanatalapsky rural district: the fate of the Badam River, which flows through the village.

The council meeting was attended by Yerbol Baikonysov, Deputy Executive Secretary of the city branch of the party; Zhenisbek Turganov, Chairman of the Environmental Council; Yesimkhan Bertayev, Executive Secretary of the Turan district branch of the party; Murat Abdrakhmanov, Deputy Head of the Department for the Development of a Comfortable Environment; representatives of the district akimat, the Department of Emergency Situations, and residents of Zhanatalap.

The presence of several agencies and active citizens gave the discussion a broad public resonance. This is understandable: this is not only about the environment, but also about livelihoods—the living conditions of people who have depended on the Badam River's water for decades.

Currently, concrete lining of the riverbank is underway along the section of the river passing through Zhanatalap. According to the project, these measures should reduce the risk of emergency situations, such as flooding, coastal damage, or soil erosion.

However, village residents are expressing serious concern: they believe that once construction is completed, they may lose access to the water they traditionally used for agriculture.

"For many years, our village depended on this spring for its survival. Irrigated land, gardens, trees—all of this depended on the Badam water. Now, however, we see the trees starting to dry out, and in the future, the entire village risks being left without water," said one villager during the meeting.

Murat Abdrakhmanov, Deputy Head of the Comfortable Environment Development Department, confirmed the problem and pointed out its legal aspect. He explained that part of the land where the drainage system is located is privately owned. This is preventing the proper distribution of water to local residents.

"The land where a vital water resource is located has been transferred to private hands. To resolve this issue, it must be returned to state ownership. If you, as neighbors and the community, agree to return the land, we are ready to carry out all necessary work as quickly as possible," Abdrakhmanov noted.

Local residents greeted the official's statement with some skepticism but expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue. They voiced a key condition: water must remain available for agricultural use. They emphasized that the lack of an irrigation system would lead to the degradation of fields and orchards and, consequently, a decline in living standards.

"If the village is left without water, we will have no future. The young people will leave, the farm will perish, and with it, life in Zhanatalap itself," added another resident.

Following the discussion, the parties reached a compromise: work to resolve the problem will be carried out in stages. First, the ownership of the land where the drainage system is located is planned to be resolved. After that, the authorities, in conjunction with the relevant agencies, will take measures to maintain the village's water supply.

It was also agreed that in the future, any projects concerning water resources and environmental issues will be discussed with the participation of local residents in order to take into account their interests and needs.

The situation in the Zhanatalap rural district reflects a broader problem: the need to balance engineering solutions for emergency protection with the preservation of traditional agriculture. Water has always been and remains a key resource for Kazakhstan's southern regions, and any restriction on access to it is a legitimate concern.

This case also demonstrates the importance of transparency in the implementation of public projects. Residents must be informed of the goals and consequences of construction work, and their opinions must be taken into account at all stages. This is the only way to avoid social conflict and discontent.

For its part, the AMANAT party has once again demonstrated its willingness to act as a mediator between the public and government authorities. Organizing on-site meetings allows the voices of ordinary citizens to be heard, giving them the opportunity to directly address officials and raise their concerns.

Such meetings not only help address specific issues but also build trust between society and the government. This is especially important for the residents of Zhanatalap: they see that their problems are not ignored.

The meeting of the Environmental Council in the Zhanatalapsky rural district was an important step toward resolving the issue of water use in the Badam River. On the one hand, measures are needed to strengthen the banks and prevent emergency situations. On the other hand, we cannot allow an entire village to be deprived of its source of life and well-being.

The phased approach proposed by the parties inspires hope that the issue will be resolved fairly and in a manner that takes into account the interests of all parties. The key is to maintain a balance between safety, the environment, and the needs of rural residents.