Million saxaul shrubs to be planted at radioactive tailings pondReclamation work has begun at the Koshkar-Ata tailings pond near the Caspian Sea, with plans to plant over one million saxaul shrubs, according to the Mangystau region's administration."Starting in October, one million saxaul seedlings will be planted over an area of 640 hectares, and a modern irrigation system will be established," the press service said. "Currently, the territory of the tailings pond is being enclosed with an iron fence."The decision for biological reclamation follows a 2024 study, which found that radioactive contamination levels at the site do not exceed permissible limits. The project, "Creation of a Green Protective Zone for 2025-2026," aims to enhance long-term environmental safety and reduce health risks for the local population."The Koshkar-Ata tailings pond is a problem that has long been a public concern," said regional governor Nurdaulet Kilybai, as quoted by the press service. "The work that has now begun is an important step toward improving the ecology. We are committed to implementing this project in a systematic and transparent manner. It is under the control of the head of state and must be completed by the end of 2026."The Koshkar-Ata facility, located just 7-8 kilometers from the Caspian Sea and 3-4 kilometers from the city of Aktau, spans 77 square kilometers. It contains an estimated 105 million tonnes of toxic waste, with nearly half being weakly radioactive waste from uranium ore processing. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX