Tackling Dirt, Disrespect, and Disorder in Astana
Escalation of efforts to combat graffiti and defacement in Astana
In the pulsating heart of Astana, the first quarter report card for 2025 paints a sobering picture—a revamped battle against city grime and graffiti. At a recent press conference, Gulmira Bekmukhanova, Astana's city prosecutor, shed some numbers that sent chills down spines. A whopping 5,151 individuals were slapped with fines for polluting public spaces, with a Sizeable chunk of 36 being minors, as indirectly reported by Liter.kz, citing the local government. Forty offenders were arrested, and an eye-watering 21 received fines totaling over 3.6 million tenge.
[Image: Akimat of Astana]
The Numbers Game
In this war against filth and chaos, Astana's authorities are pulling out all the stops. CCTV cameras surveilling the capital number a convincing 35,600, ensuring no wrongdoing goes unnoticed. The prosecutor's office is firmly on the frontline, vigilantly combing through social media and news publications to catch violators off guard.
When it comes to the young and impressionable, their parents or guardians bear the administrative burden for their indiscretions. Gulmira Bekmukhanova, who warns that vandalism, hooliganism, and indifference towards public assets necessitate instant and merciless action, underscores the importance of order.
Since January 3, 2023, Article 147-1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses has been in effect, providing a stern warning for intentional destruction or damage to another individual's property if the damage does not surpass the Value equivalent to 200 MCI (738,000 tenge). Offenders risk landing in administrative detention or facing a financial penalty.
The prosecutor's office emphasizes that the city's order is not solely the responsibility of the authorities but rather a shared commitment among citizens—a responsibility expected of everyone, young and old, to maintain cleanliness and discipline.
Protecting the Environment
Astana acknowledges the pressing need for environmental protection and has implemented strategies to combat pollution. The country has recently introduced water security into its legislation, securing citizens and the economy from water shortages and contamination [1]. In collaboration with the One Water Vision coalition, technology-driven innovation and stricter regulations are enforced to safeguard water sources from pollution [2].
Moreover, the Climate-Resilient Water Resources Development Project strives to enhance water infrastructure, ultimately reducing the environmental consequences. As Kazakhstan marches towards modernization and environmental sustainability, stricter penalties for pollution and related offenses are likely to align with international standards and grow more stringent.
- The fight against pollution and disorder in Astana is intensifying, as evidenced by the 5,151 individuals fined for polluting public spaces in the first quarter of 2025, with minors making up a significant portion.
- The authorities in Astana are employing various strategies to monitor offenses, such as the deployment of 35,600 CCTV cameras and a focus on social media and news publications by the prosecutor's office.
- Parents or guardians are held accountable for the indiscretions of minors, and a strict new law (Article 147-1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses) has been enacted, punishing offenders who intentionally damage another's property for up to 200 MCI (approximately 738,000 tenge).
- Astana is not only addressing city grime and graffiti but also prioritizing environmental protection, implementing strategies to combat pollution, and enforcing stricter penalties for pollution-related offenses to align with international standards.
