In 2012, the Moinak hydroelectric power station with an installed capacity of 300 MW was put into operation on the Charyn River in the Raiymbek district of the Almaty region of the Republic of Kazakhstan. A 94-meter-high dam and the Bestyubinskoye Reservoir were built to operate the hydroelectric power station.

Construction of the hydroelectric power station began in Soviet times, in 1985, but in 1992 it was stopped due to the difficult economic situation. In early 2005, the government decided to resume construction of the Moinak hydroelectric power station.

The reservoir and hydroelectric power station are located near the confluence of the Karkara and Kegen rivers, where the Charyn River begins.

The Moinak hydroelectric power station is an important energy infrastructure for the region, but its activities carry significant environmental risks.

Below the hydroelectric power station is the Charyn State National Natural Park. It was created in 2004 to preserve and restore the unique natural complexes of the Almaty region, which have special ecological, historical, scientific, aesthetic and recreational value.

The national park includes the Charyn Ash Grove (or forest dacha), which is a state natural monument of republican significance; it received this status back in 1964.

Let us remind you that in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan «On Specially Protected Natural Areas»:

«State Natural Monument — specially protected natural area, including certain unique, irreplaceable, environmentally, scientifically, culturally and aesthetically valuable natural complexes, as well as objects of natural and artificial origin, classified as objects of the state natural reserve fund» (Article 64).

Relict ash of Sogdia, or Sogdian ash, grows in the grove (lat. Fraxinus sogdiana), which is included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan. Some trees are over 300 years old. And the grove itself is a unique natural formation that arose in the pre-glacial era. It is one of the world’s few remaining islets of ancient forests that once covered vast areas.

In addition to its ecological value, the grove amazes with its natural beauty. It attracts tourists, photographers and nature lovers. The site is considered sacred by locals, and ancient legends associate the grove with the spirits of the earth.

Back in 1970-1980, within the framework of the feasibility study project of the Moinak hydroelectric power station and the Bestyubinsky reservoir on the Charyn River, research work was carried out and conclusions were drawn:

«Regulating the flow of the river in connection with the construction of the reservoir and the impact of hydraulic structures will disrupt the natural hydrological regime of the river, negatively affect the conservation and natural regeneration of Ash Grove, which will lead to the complete loss of this unique natural object. It will also have a negative impact on the ecological systems of Charyn» Canyon.

In 2005, when considering project «Preliminary environmental impact assessment for the feasibility study of the construction of the Moinak hydroelectric power station on the Charyn River, Raiymbek district, Almaty region», experts from the Forestry and Hunting Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan identified a number of problems.

The pre-EIA noted that floods and groundwater levels play a huge role in the growth and regeneration of ash forests. Regular floodplain flooding is necessary to ensure natural regeneration. It was expected that after the completion of construction and commissioning of the hydroelectric power station, the situation would become more complicated, since the flow would be regulated, and flood waters would be retained in the reservoir, which was activated in winter. The change in the natural flow of Charyn as a result of the construction and launch of the Moinak hydroelectric power station, given the existing water balance deficit, will ultimately lead to a change in the environment of the Sarytogai tract and a change in moisture-loving rocks to more drought-resistant ones. The impact of regulating the reservoir level on a natural monument will be to cut off flood peaks that briefly water the floodplain and feed groundwater. Declining groundwater levels and the absence of natural floods that promote regeneration will lead to the degradation of a unique natural monument. (Letter KLOCH № 25-11-23/3011 dated 10/27/2005)

Energy workers promised that they would carry out environmental releases that would leave a sufficient amount of water in the river, this would help preserve the ecosystem in the lower reaches.

In 2019, the Ecological Society «Green Rescue» asked the Forestry and Wildlife Committee (Ex. № 017) to report the condition of Ash Grove and whether it is affected by changes in the hydraulic regime of the Charyn River after the commissioning of the Moinak hydroelectric power station.

Even then, experts noted that

«monitoring of the condition of Ash Grove is carried out by the scientific department of the national park on an ongoing basis as part of observations «Nature Chronicle». … Since the commissioning of the Moinak hydroelectric power station, the ash growing on the first terrace is in satisfactory condition, and drying is observed on the second terrace. According to hydrometeorological data from weather stations RGP «Kazhydromet», from 2014 to 2017 the level of water descending from the Moinakskaya hydroelectric power station is not stable. In this regard, the national park on the second terrace produces watering five times in the summer. … The condition of Ash Grove as a whole – is satisfactory» (letter KLOCH 17-1-27/ZT-K-57 dated 02/22/2019).

5 years have passed.

Ecological Society «Green Salvation» appealed to JSC «Moinakskaya HPP named after U.D. Kantaev» and the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan regarding the implementation of the obligations of hydroelectric power stations for environmental protection releases, as well as the Committee of Forestry and Wildlife to find out the current state of the grove.

The management of the hydroelectric power station reported that «, in accordance with the minutes of the workshop dated September 24, 2019, the hydroelectric power station produces water releases in May into the lower reaches of the Charyn River in the amount of 60 m3/sec for 10-15 days» (letter №16-14/173 dated May 23, 2024).

The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan in its letter (№ZT-2024-03966784 dated May 23, 2024) reported that «to transform the flow into a natural mode, a hydroelectric complex with a reservoir –counterregulator» was built on the river. In addition to conservation releases in May, the average discharge for May is 39.85 m3/s, for June – 40 m3/s, for July – 50 m3/s, for August – 50 m3/s, for September – 43 m3/s.

The Forestry and Wildlife Committee in its letter №ZT-2024-03966779 dated 20/06/2024 said

•     Monitoring the condition of Sogdian ash is carried out on an ongoing basis by specialists from the Science Department of the Charyn State National Natural Park (hereinafter referred to as – National Park).
•     Since the construction of the hydroelectric power station in the upper part of the Charyn River, there have been fluctuations in the water level in the river. During the 13 years of construction of the Moinak hydroelectric power station, the ecological state of the Charyn Ash Grove led to changes. Fluctuations in the water level in Charyn contributed to the natural renewal of Sogdian ash.
•     It can be assessed that the natural renewal of ash in the grove has moved from good to satisfactory levels (that is, it has worsened. — Author’s note). This is especially due to the increase in drought in the country over the past 5 years.
•     The forestry and environmental condition and natural renewal of Sogdian ash, which grows naturally on terrace №1 in Ash Grove, can be assessed as satisfactory.
•     Since 1939 of the last century, plantings of Sogdian ash have been planted in the grove on terrace №2, but since then the survival rate of the plantings has not reached 30%. On terrace №2 in Ash Grove, the ecological state and natural regeneration of plantings planted by hand and naturally, the growth of ash can be assessed as average. The reason is that they fade quickly if they are watered irregularly. One biological factor that influences the natural regeneration of Sogdian ash is seed yield. Fluctuations in seed yields over the years directly affect natural regeneration…

Consequently, experts confirm that the condition of Ash Grove, although slowly, is deteriorating. A significant role in this process is played by the regulation of the natural flow of the Charyn River due to the construction of a dam and hydroelectric power station.

The main risks to the grove are therefore

•     Change in the hydrological regime of the Charyn River. The operation of a hydroelectric power station requires the management of water flows, which leads to disruption of the natural hydrological cycle of the river. Irregular water runoff, man-made floods, or reduced water volume threaten the grove’s ecosystem dependent on sustainable water supply.
•     Decrease in groundwater levels. The Charyn ash grove is fed not only by surface water, but also by groundwater. If the water table decreases as a result of the influence of an active hydroelectric power station, this can cause drought and mass death of trees.
•     Threat to biodiversity. The grove is home to many rare and endemic species. Changes in the ecosystem can affect the numbers of insects, birds and animals that depend on relict ash trees.
•     Soil erosion. Changing the river’s course and flow rate can contribute to coastal erosion. This will pose a threat to the root system of trees and the overall sustainability of the forest.
•     Potential accidents at hydroelectric power stations. In case of technical malfunctions or emergency water discharges, the grove ecosystem may be affected by sudden floods or pollution.

In May 2024, staff of the Ecological Society «Green Rescue», as part of public monitoring of protected areas, visited Ash Grove. We were surprised to notice the large amount of manure. In accordance with the law on protected areas, «, a protected protection regime is established in the territories of state natural monuments, corresponding to the type of protection regime for state natural reserves, with the prohibition of any activity that leads to a violation of the safety of state natural monuments». Grazing is prohibited in areas where a conservation regime has been established (Articles 40 and 66).

Human activity poses a threat to this unique natural object. What awaits the relict grove in the future, which, according to scientists, was able to survive the Ice Age? Will specialists be able to protect the unique relict ecosystem? These questions remain open. And the task of preserving the natural heritage of Kazakhstan – Charyn Ash Grove – remains relevant for the country!

Ecological Society «Green Salvation»