In the Kerbulak district of the Zhetysu region, disputes are flaring up over the construction of a cascade of seven hydroelectric power stations (hydroelectric power plants) on the Koksu River. The project, which involves the installation of a hydroelectric power station with a total capacity of 150 MW, is causing concern among scientists, athletes and members of the public. They do not share optimism about the future economic and energy benefits of the project, as they spoke about during a press conference at the Kazakhstan Press Club. The new hydraulic structure is expected to not only change the region’s ecosystem, but also affect its cultural heritage.
Threat to cultural heritage?
According to scientists and public activists, the construction of hydroelectric power stations entails serious risks, including man-made and environmental disasters. It can lead to irreversible losses of cultural and historical heritage of global significance. In addition, the region may lose the opportunity to host international sporting events, which, in turn, will affect its tourist attractiveness.
Candidate of Economic Sciences Taizhan Mukhtar noted that although the need for electricity is obvious, it is important that when implementing such large projects, the requirements of the law on the preservation of historical and cultural heritage are observed. According to this law, before construction begins, an examination must be carried out to assess which monuments may be lost.
“And this is what will remain underwater? These are mounds, these are petroglyphs, because in this gorge, according to scientists, in particular Alexander Goryachev, this is the largest tract, which has the largest number of petroglyphs. That is, we cannot afford to lose our historical roots in order to find or find a source of energy. Without roots there is neither present nor future. When such dams are built, the water level inevitably rises. And everything around is flooded within the perimeter of this this state district power station. According to the law on the preservation of historical and cultural heritage, before this construction, an examination must always be carried out of what we are losing there. We are simply worried that as a result of such construction we will lose our heritage”, — said Taizhan Mukhtar.
According to the executive director of the OF “Petroglyph Hunters” Olga Gumirova, on a 60 km section it is planned to build from seven to ten hydroelectric power stations, which will be located at intervals of only 6–9 km. Each of the stations is being built by different organizations, with them scattered across three different districts. At the same time, local authorities, according to her, were not aware that construction was being carried out on such a large scale. Of particular concern to members of the public is the category of construction of these facilities. Most of them belong to the third category, which does not require public hearings and involves less rigorous examinations. However, some hydroelectric power stations may move into the second category during operation, which will greatly change the requirements for their assessment and safety.
“The Koksu River, first, flows through a fertile valley. There are actually elite agricultural lands there. During the construction of hydroelectric power stations, agricultural land will naturally be taken out of circulation. Plus, if you add a cable through which electricity will be discharged, this is also a land diversion. Secondly, this is a long-standing tourist home. A huge number of people have already created tourism infrastructure. Tourists, rafters, and rafters come there. People come there to pick mushrooms and berries. Various tourists simply travel there. That is, guest houses, hotels, and certified routes. And, naturally, with such a number of hydroelectric power stations, this entire territory loses its attractiveness during the season, when fishermen with their families and not only from Taldykorgan and surrounding villages go to this river”, — said Olga Gumirova.
Another significant aspect that Olga Gumirova indicated was the lack of a full-fledged mudflow examination. The Koksu River is prone to mudflows, as evidenced by historical evidence. She recalled that in 1956, a powerful mudflow completely destroyed the village of Budenoye, causing numerous casualties, and flooding of houses was recorded in the village of Kirovsky. Despite these facts, construction companies, as the speaker notes, rely in their reports on a sample of data starting only in 1959.
“Another such important point to which we wanted to draw your attention. Once again, our regional leaders and construction companies step on this rake when they do not pay attention or do poor-quality archaeological examination. In particular, when we arrived at the mine HPP-1, it turned out that the management of the construction company and the akimat missed such a moment that a construction permit was issued without archaeological examination”, — the speaker concluded.
Leading researcher at the Institute of Archeology named after. A.Kh. Margulana Alexander Goryachev noted that the construction of a hydroelectric power station on Koksa could cause serious damage to the historical and cultural heritage of the region. According to him, the Karatay Valley of the Koksu River is one of the oldest cultural centers of Kazakhstan. From the earliest stages of history, this region played an important role in the development of civilization, and until the mid-19th century, Koksu was the southern border of historical Zhetysu. The river valley served as a key route for trade caravans and migratory flows, leading to the formation of many historical and cultural monuments. Of particular value is the Eshkiolmes ridge, saturated with archaeological sites. Its study began relatively recently — in the early 1980s. However, research has shown that the area contains over 200 Early Iron Age barrows, as well as hundreds of Bronze Age sites. In the gorges there are settlements dating back to antiquity, the Middle Ages and modern times.
“There, on the mountain passes, several cemeteries of modern times were recorded, that is, representatives of Kazakh clans and tribes. The ridge itself is a huge, unique natural and historical complex. Even if it is being studied, it is absolutely impossible to touch it, since most archaeological objects —they are immovable, they cannot be taken from there, and the majority are rock paintings, of which, according to our preliminary estimates, there are about 25 thousand. This is the largest accumulation in Kazakhstan ancient rock paintings”, — said Alexander Goryachev.
According to the President of the Kazakhstan Rafting Federation, Konstantin O, the Koksu River has unique characteristics that attract athletes from all over Kazakhstan and other countries.
“After the construction of a hydroelectric power station, championships at the republican and especially international level immediately disappear. They become either completely impossible or lose their potential. The construction of a hydroelectric power station will harm the tourism industry, limiting access to the river and destroying its sports potential”, — noted Konstantin O.
According to him, the Federation calls for an open discussion of the project with the participation of the sports community, environmentalists and tourism specialists.
Arguments in favor of the project
Residents of the village expressed support for the construction of the hydroelectric power station, considering it an important step towards the development of the region. In their view, any industrial construction contributes to progress by creating new jobs and improving living conditions.
One of the residents of the area noted that in the 1950s the village also started from scratch, but thanks to the discovery of a field, the construction of a mine, an enrichment plant and a car depot, life here was in full swing. However, over time, the industry fell into decline, people began to leave, and houses — even comfortable apartments — were empty. Today the village needs economic recovery, and the construction of a hydroelectric power station, in her opinion, could be such a chance.
“In the 1950s of the last century, there was nothing in this village either. But they found a deposit, opened a mine, built an enrichment plant, and built the same car depot. The village lived, developed, and was built. There was a lot of population here. Gradually, all this began to fade away, and you can see for yourself what life has come to in our village. Half of the apartments, and even more than half, are closed. Moreover, comfortable apartments. Houses are abandoned, people are forced to leave our village because there are no jobs, no means of subsistence. I believe that the construction of the hydroelectric power station will provide a new step towards the development and uplift of our village. Perhaps people will return here, perhaps those who come here to work will be interested in our area and will also live here. We have requirements for hydroelectric power station builders that all this be carried out according to all standards and not cause damage to the environment”, — noted a resident of the Kerbulak district.
She also expressed skepticism about the protest of representatives of the tourism industry, who, according to her, make money from imported tourists, but do not invest in the development of the village. At the same time, investors planning the construction of hydroelectric power stations promise to provide assistance in landscaping: repair of facilities, construction of roads and sites. Therefore, in her opinion, the project deserves support, as it has real benefits for the local population.
According to Kanat Daurenbekov, a representative of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, the project for the construction of Rudnichnye HPP-1 and HPP-2 has passed all stages of environmental review and examination.
“There is no question of violating environmental legislation, since the project complies with the standards for the protection of atmospheric air, the protection of surface and groundwater, as well as measures to prevent and minimize negative impacts on the environment. According to the environmental conclusion, the provided environmental measures make it possible to reduce potential risks and carry out construction within the framework of the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan. As an expert in water management, I can say that the hydroelectric power station project does not involve the construction of a dam and the complete closure of the river bed. Water will be taken from the riverbed”, — explained Kanat Daurenbekov.
According to the project manager for the construction of Rudnichnye HPP-1 and HPP-2, Aliya Karabalina, during the construction period it is planned to create up to 500 thousand jobs, and after the facility is put into operation, about 50 people will be employed. Currently, about 60 local residents from nearby villages are already involved.
“We have a misunderstanding with the athletes. They just don’t want to enter into a dialogue with us so that we can create even more favorable conditions for them. As it turned out, we infringed on 208 meters of water. We are ready to extend it for them by 300-500 meters. We have met with the local population more than once, they fully support us”, — said Aliy Karabalin.
Maria Galushko (inbusiness.kz)
