ADOPTED ENVIRONMENTAL CODE TIGHTENS ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

"Adopted Environmental Code tightens environmental control", Kazakh Minister of Environment Protection Nurlan Iskakov said at the enlarged session of the Ministry, Kazinform reports. “Over 8 thousand of businesses were examined and over 6 thousand violations of environmental law were revealed in 2008”, the Minister said. According to N. Iskakov special attention was paid to verify the compliance with the requirements in water protection zones. In total 427 businesses were examined all over the country. Seven objects did not get approval of the State Environmental Expert Review and 46 cases were forwarded to the courts. In addition, the Waste Management was created under the Committee of Environmental Control and Regulation.

“Waste inventory was made all over the country and about 7.5 thousand waste certificates were reviewed. At the same time, there is a slow rate of transfer of the ownerless wastes to the state property”, N. Iskakov noted.

M. Makulbekov

Source: KAZINFORM, 30.01.2009

LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK MUST MEET ALL ECOLOGICAL STANDARDS: K. MASSIMOV

Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Massimov took thefloor at the enlarged session of the Kazakh Ministry of Environment Protection, Kazinform reports.

The Head of the Government noted that it is necessary to make tough demands on users of natural resources. “Our regulatory base should meet all highest ecological standards”, K.Massimov said. He noted that it should be the main demand that must be made to attract foreign investors, especially in the development of natural resources.

The Prime Minster said that ecological standards compliance in many countries depends on the legislative base, noting that large foreign companies must conduct the work in Kazakhstan the way they do it at home. He noted that well-formed regulatory framework in the environmental use forces industry adjust to the law.

M. Makulbekov

Source: KAZINFORM, 30.01.2009

NECESSARY TO DEVELOP GROUNDWATER USE PROGRAM: K. MASSIMOV

Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Massimov set the Ministry of Environment Protection together with the Committee for Water Resources of the Ministry of Agriculture a task to study possibility of groundwater usage, Kazinform reports.

“The Head of the State set the task and it is necessary to develop special program on groundwater use in 2009”, the Premier said.

K.Massimov noted that lack of fresh water exists in Kazakhstan, in this regard we should use it economically.

The Head of the Government touched upon the issues of overflow danger for rural areas of Syr-Darya River. “I hope, we will not have problems with it this year”, K.Massimov said.

M. Makulbekov

Source: KAZINFORM, 30.01.2009