In Shymkent, enforcement of environmental compliance by businesses located in the city's industrial zones is being stepped up. Numerous complaints from residents regarding deteriorating air quality, the emergence of pungent odors, and increased pollutant emissions have prompted authorities and environmental services to conduct unscheduled inspections. The monitoring results revealed that not all businesses are complying with current standards and legal requirements.

According to the Department of Entrepreneurship and Industrial-Innovative Development, there are seven industrial zones operating in Shymkent: "Ontustik," "Ordabasy," "Tassay," "Zhuldyz," "Kaynar," "Standart," and "Industrial Park." Their combined area is 1,276 hectares , and the number of enterprises located within them reaches 312 , providing employment to over 8,000 people . These zones are important centers of economic growth, but their activities often raise concerns among the public due to their negative impact on the environment.

Residents of neighborhoods adjacent to industrial areas have been actively contacting the Department of Ecology in recent months, complaining about deteriorating air quality, dust, and emissions from factories. Complaints have been particularly frequent at plants located in the Ontustik and Ordabasy industrial zones, where there is a high concentration of metallurgical, chemical, and processing industries.

" During the monitoring, businesses were identified violating environmental standards. Inspections were conducted jointly with the Department of Ecology, orders were issued, and fines were imposed," the Department of Entrepreneurship reported.

Statistics show that these violations are not isolated. While 34 administrative cases were initiated in the first half of this year, with fines totaling 23.5 million tenge , 50 administrative cases have already been initiated. The total amount of fines imposed has exceeded 37.6 million tenge , of which 32.6 million tenge have been transferred to the state budget .

Acting Head of the Department of Ecology Sabyr Balybek clarified that as a result of the inspections:
• 29 orders to eliminate violations were issued;
• 12 large enterprises were inspected, including:
– High Industrial Lubricants & Liquids Corporation
– China-Kazakhstan Manganese Industrial Group
– ColorLit
– Element 5
– EcoTire
– Category DM
- Alaman Bereke
– ENN
– Hermes-B.E.
– IP “Habibullah”
– TRM
– VegaSmelting

Despite the issued orders, four businesses ignored the demands to correct the violations. Administrative protocols were filed against them under Article 462, Part 3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Kazakhstan— "Failure to comply with orders of authorized bodies."

"The specialized inter-district court imposed fines and suspended the companies' operations for various periods ," the department clarified.

Furthermore, instances of operating without an environmental permit were identified, which qualifies as a violation of Article 328, Part 4 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Kazakhstan . Fines and suspensions were also imposed for these incidents.

Environmentalists note that the problem is complex and affects more than just the atmosphere. In Shymkent's water bodies , exceedances of permissible concentrations of a number of pollutants have been recorded. The following are considered the most problematic:
• rivers Koshkarata , Karasu , Badam , Sairamsu
• channels Kos-diermen , Togys , Tekesu , BMK

Periodic measurements show the presence of petroleum products, heavy metals, and inadequately treated household wastewater in the water. Experts emphasize that further deterioration of the situation could threaten public health.

The condition of the Koshkarata River is a particular cause for concern. During the warmer months, it is one of the city's most popular recreation areas, but the growing number of visitors has led to an increase in litter. Volunteer groups regularly organize cleanup days on the riverbanks, but the problem persists because some visitors fail to observe basic cleanliness rules .

Local residents are demanding not only fines but also systemic measures to modernize wastewater treatment facilities, improve emissions controls, and tighten industrial licensing. Environmental activists are pushing for the implementation of automated air quality monitoring stations that will make data publicly available.

Meanwhile, the Department of Ecology assures that inspections are not complete, and businesses that violate regulations face more severe sanctions, including complete closure .

"We intend to consistently enforce environmental legislation. The city's ecology is the health of its residents, and we will not allow the situation to worsen," the department emphasized.

The situation in industrial zones remains under close scrutiny by authorities, community activists, and residents. Improving air quality and water resources in Shymkent is becoming a highly discussed issue, as the city's industrial development must not compromise the environment or public safety.