Aktubinsk Reservoir Pollution Crisis: Dead Fish, Waste, and a Lack of Official Response

Aktobe Reservoir Suffers from Severe Pollution: Locals Sound Alarm Aktobe, Kazakhstan – The Aktubinsk reservoir, a vital water source for the Aktobe region, is facing an environmental crisis due to pollution and sand mining. Locals have voiced their concerns over the increasing amount of waste and the destruction of the reservoir's ecosystem. The Diapazon newspaper recently released a video showing significant pollution along the reservoir's shores. Waste from a nearby poultry farm, including large piles of manure, is visible near the water's edge. Additionally, the video shows evidence of sand mining in the reservoir bed, an area crucial for fish spawning. Alexey Gogol, chairman of the regional hunters and fishers society, stated, "The pollution of the Aktubinsk reservoir has been ongoing for years. Sand extraction from the reservoir's bed, which serves as a spawning ground for fish, is particularly damaging. This, combined with the waste dumping, is severely impacting fish resources." The video also highlights the dumping of snow containing road chemicals, which has further contributed to the pollution. While officials claim the snow dumping was a necessary measure during a heavy snowfall, the practice has continued for several years, raising concerns about the lack of proper waste management. The situation underscores the need for stricter environmental regulations and enforcement in the region to protect the Aktubinsk reservoir and its vital ecosystem. The local community is hoping for a swift and effective response from the authorities to address the pollution and prevent further environmental damage.