Environmental research

Irtysh-Ob river system is the forth longest one in the world after Nile, Amazon and Mississippi and, indeed, is the longest system in Eurasia. Unfortunately, not many people in Karaganda oblast know that discharging wastes on the bank of a small steppe river they contaminate this unique natural monument. The biggest in Kazakhstan industrial area of Karaganda Temirtau is located on this territory with its metallurgical, chemical and mining industry and population of about 2 million people. 60% total population are engaged in agriculture. In addition to the industrial influence rivers are considerably contaminated by domestic wastes. The lack of legislation framework to protect rivers and low environmental culture of local people have resulted in a heavy littering the banks and contamination of water. Following the data presented by the Laboratory within Oblast Environmental Department the flood period is characterized by high contamination of nitrogen. Meetings with local farmers have shown that people living in the villages really discharge organic wastes (manure and domestic wastes) in the rivers. The reason for that is the lack of funding to reclaim or recycle domestic wastes or manure by village people and farmers. Further it has been found that farms with over 10 heads of cattle accumulate over 0.5 cubic meters of manure. The main goal of this project is to introduce biogas facilities in the villages that are located on the banks of the Nura river. This will help to reclaim organic agricultural wastes, will reduce the contamination of the river by ammonia-nitrogen compounds, and will reduce the greenhouse effect of manure decomposition in the open air. Biogas Facilities offer a renewable source of alternative power (methane) which can be used in the farms. The project will use local initiatives to decrease water contamination, and will use demonstrational projects to establish alternative power facilities in the region. The project will involve local businesses in activities, and will lobby local authorities to establish a favorable policy environment for alternative forms of renewable power such as Biogas production. Objective 1: Establish biogas facilities in the farms of Karnisi community. Outcomes: 1.1. Establish biogas facilities of various capacity (8, 16, 32 cubic meters bio-accumulators) for daily recycling domestic wastes and manure from 4, 10 and 30 cows respectfully. Partial solving energy problems faced by farms with BGF. 1.2. Establish a mobile team on the basis of EcoMuseum capable of constructing biogas facilities. Objective 2: Train farmers and local community in BGF maintenance, raise their environmental education. Outcomes: 2.1. Establish on the basis of Karaganda Research Agricultural Institute an oblast-level biogas school for farmers and train households in biogas technology. 2.2. Produce and disseminate amongst the households 300 brochures with the guidelines on safe use and maintenance of BGF. Objective 3: Lobby local laws favorable for developing biogas technologies on the farms, establish protected zones for rivers in populated areas. Outcomes: 3.1. Developed oblast-level policy for biogas technologies in the farms. 3.2. Developed and approved oblast-level financial support programs for biogas technologies introduced in farms. 3.3. Developed and approved oblast-level Regulations on protected zones for rivers in the populated areas. Objective 4. Develop public opinion on the problem and community involvement in environmental activities. Outcomes: 4.1. Organize 8 environmental events addressing the river-bed and banks of Nura and its tributaries involving local communities. 4.2. Raising awareness of people on the alternative renewable power. 4.3. 2 exhibitions will be organized devoted to the need in protecting water resources and the ways of public participation in contamination issues. 4.5. Report on the project outcomes will be disseminated electronically and in hard copy amongst all related parties and NGO for replication of the project successful experience.

Kazakhstan