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Sand quarries operating near Aktobe are causing significant environmental damage, destroying fertile black soil fields and disrupting the channels of the Irgiz River and its tributaries. This situation has sparked deep concern among local residents, particularly those actively involved in environmental protection efforts.

Trading Fertile Land for Sand

According to Serik Sagiyev, a resident of the Orleu microdistrict, sand quarries several dozen meters deep have appeared near his family's ancestral farmlands. Some of these quarries have been abandoned for decades, yet sand theft continues. Companies are failing to conduct land reclamation after their operations, and authorities appear to be overlooking the issue.

Sagiyev warns that these lands will become unusable for hundreds of years. "It's impossible to restore these lands," he stated. "They should have leveled the area and returned the fertile topsoil. What kind of land are we leaving for future generations? This land will no longer be suitable for grazing or farming. City residents are surprised by the dust storms in the city center, but the cause lies in these quarries."

Quarries Becoming Dumping Grounds

Exploring one of the abandoned quarries reveals a startling depth. Sand, blown by the wind, travels for kilometers, damaging fertile soil. Recent vehicle tracks are visible, indicating ongoing activity. Sagiyev notes that anyone can steal sand from these sites.

At the bottom of one quarry, trash, along with the bones and hides of horses, were found. The site has become a convenient place for slaughtering stolen livestock, with its remoteness ensuring secrecy.

Destruction of Black Soil Fields

Another quarry is situated close to the Sagiyev family's irrigated fields. A significant portion of the nearby fertile black soil has already been lost in this manner. Serik Sagiyev and his brothers are striving to protect the remaining land.

"It's very difficult to grow anything here now," Sagiyev explained. "We are currently cultivating fodder crops like 'sudanka' to help restore the fertile layer and provide feed." He added that other crops are also difficult to cultivate due to the encroaching sand.

Previously, the area was home to numerous trees, including birch, maple, and poplar, and clean springs flowed. Rabbits, wild boars, badgers, foxes, and muskrats inhabited the region. However, the habitat for wildlife and vegetation is shrinking year by year.

"The President talks about greening the country, but here everything is being destroyed," Sagiyev lamented. "They've ruined ponds and buried springs. For example, 'Aktobe Tral' LLP disputed with us for many years, wanting to acquire irrigated lands and claiming they had permission from the akimat, but they later withdrew their lawsuit. However, other plots are gradually being taken away."

Irgiz River Losing Its Tributaries

Along the road, Serik Sagiyev stopped near a small pond where a fisherman was present. While the scene appeared peaceful, Sagiyev's perspective was somber.

Satellite imagery of the northern part of the city, particularly the area north of the Orleu microdistrict, reveals that a large territory near the Irgiz River and its tributaries is crisscrossed by numerous ponds. These are not natural formations nor planned developments, but solely the result of sand quarries. These quarries trap river water, causing the water in these pools to evaporate gradually, effectively draining the Irgiz River.

The pond where the fisherman sat is one such quarry filled with water. "The Irgiz River is losing its tributaries," Serik Sagiyev reflected. "Water evaporates quickly from such small surfaces, and the rain and floods happen elsewhere on the planet."

"Let's Leave Land, Not a Desert, for Future Generations"

Sand is being extracted for profit, while the ecosystem is being destroyed. This is the unfortunate conclusion of this journey. Serik Sagiyev believes the practice of creating quarries near the city must stop immediately. Secondly, companies must be obligated to restore the land by leveling it and returning the fertile topsoil.

"But this isn't happening," he said. "At this rate, we will lose everything. Recently, the dust storms in the city have been full of sand. Due to the quarries, the outskirts of the city are turning into a desert. I hope we leave land, not a desert, for future generations."

This information was reported by the Infohub.kz news agency.