On 14–15 May 2026, a press tour for media representatives took place in Kyzylorda Region to showcase the progress of afforestation and land restoration work on the dried bed of the Aral Sea. The event was attended by M. Yelemesov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee of Forestry and Wildlife.
The event was held within the framework of the Head of State’s instruction to establish saxaul plantations across 1.1 million hectares of the dried Aral Sea bed during 2021–2025.
Key results of afforestation and land restoration activities:
• 2021–2025 — afforestation and land restoration works carried out across 1,117.5 thousand hectares; • 3,440.9 tons of saxaul and halophyte seeds sown; • 53.2 million saxaul seedlings planted; • 2026 — additional work conducted on 116 thousand hectares.
Alongside planting efforts, measures were also undertaken to develop infrastructure and strengthen scientific support for the project.
Infrastructure and scientific support measures:
• A forest nursery is operating in Kazaly on an area of 33 hectares. • The nursery has an annual production capacity of 3 million seedlings. • Construction of a new nursery directly on the dried Aral Sea bed is underway. • Modular containers have already been installed. • A 500-meter-deep well has been drilled. • A branch of the Kazakh Research Institute of Forestry and Agroforestry Reclamation has been established to provide scientific support.
During the press tour, media representatives were introduced to the outcomes of the project and observed the current condition of saxaul plantations established on the dried Aral Sea bed.
📌 Source: Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
