About 2,000 Schrenk spruces have been planted in the Kok-Zhailau area. The event continued discussions of the Almaty SuperSki project with young people: students had earlier proposed starting the transformation of the area with landscaping rather than construction work, according to infohub.kz.
Students, scientists, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Alibek Kuantyrov, Almaty Akim Darhan Satybaldy and Kazakh Tourism Development CEO Yerzhan Yerkinbayev took part in the tree planting. The saplings were purchased by the company from Kazakh nurseries.
"Our position is simple: any development must begin with respect for nature. That is why, even before the next stages of the Almaty SuperSki implementation, we are starting with concrete environmental actions. Planting new trees is one such step," Yerzhan Yerkinbayev said.
After jointly planting the first tree, the participants dispersed to pre-designated plots and began mass planting.
One of the main questions surrounding the project concerns the existing plantings. According to Minister of Ecology Alibek Kuantyrov, for every tree that has to be removed, tenfold compensation is provided.
"If one tree is removed, compensatory planting of ten trees will be ensured. At the same time, not a single tree listed in the Red Book will be transplanted or removed in the area of the tourism cluster," the minister said.
Kazakh Tourism Development specifies that there are 13 Sievers apple trees in the project area, and their location is known to the developers.
"We know each one clearly, we have exact coordinates, and they will not be demolished, transplanted or cut down," Yerkinbayev said.
At the same time, European spruces planted by humans grow on part of the territory. They are not endemic or Red Book species. The company says the resort layout is being adjusted to preserve as many of these trees as possible. Some will be transplanted if necessary, and some may be subject to sanitary felling.
According to the company, the main commercial zone of Almaty SuperSki will occupy no more than 20 hectares. At the same time, the territory is not planned to be removed from the national park, and the construction of private villas and cottages is prohibited here.
Almaty Akim Darhan Satybaldy noted that the participation of young people in such initiatives is important not only as assistance in landscaping but also as part of the discussion about the future of the mountain area.
"It is important for Almaty that young citizens actively participate in the life of the city and contribute to the preservation of the environment," he said.
At the same time, scientific research continues at Kok-Zhailau. Specialists are studying flora and fauna, water resources, soils and erosion processes, archaeological sites, as well as possible noise load. Scientists from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and other relevant organizations are taking part in the work.