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Eco-Minded Youth to Clean Up Beach in Kazakstan

Region: Central Asia, Kazakstan
Author: Koktem Ecological Youth Club
Consortium Member: ISAR Central Asia
Status: Completed - Final Report Budget: $1658 Collected: $1658 Needs: $0
Result: To restore a beach in the town of Atbasar so that the public may use it again and attract public attention to water pollution and its sources in the area.
Donors: Upper Mohawk Valley Model United Nations at Hamilton College, Colgate, New York, October 1999; with Virtual Foundation Matching Funds
Comment: Cleaning up the riverside beach has united youth groups, benefited public health and strengthened this community in Kazakstan.

Background Information

The Koktem Ecological Club has existed for four years. The club's members are children from ages seven to seventeen. The main goals of the club are environmental education and the protection of nature. Currently, the children are involved in several arts activities, which include creating environmentally-themed drawings, paintings and crafts, and developing skits for an "Ecotheater" that addresses environmental problems. In September,1998 Koktem began a children's press center, where children write articles for the newspaper "Kaleidoscope," and perform environmental research work.

Other activities that the Koktem Ecological Club has been involved with are: a community action to close an polluting vehicle service station; a joint action to save the molluscs of the Zhabai-Eshem River; and an environmental camp at Lake Kumdikol Maraldinskova.

Project Need

The town of Atbasar is a 153 year old regional center with a population of over 50,000 people. The Zhabai River that runs through the city has historically been used by the public for many purposes, including swimming and relaxing. However, at present the river's beach area is in terrible condition and according to chemical tests, the level of pollution is constantly increasing. The water is cloudy and contains many sediments. In July and August, 1998, tests showed increasing levels of bacteria, and contraction of infectious skin diseases by bathers has become more frequent.

The problem is that there is no place along the river where Atbasar residents may relax and swim without endangering their health. The main reasons for this are: 1.) reduction of sand on the beach area due to lack of maintenance; 2.) pollution of the water by garbage; and 3) the amount of cattle in the river, which also causes pollution and increases levels of bacteria in the water.

Goals

The project has two goals:

1.) to attract public attention to the water pollution problem and educate people about the reasons for this problem;
2.) to restore the central beach in Atbasar to a condition where the public can safely use the area without harming their health.

Methods of Implementation

First, project leaders will create a questionnaire and information sheet to inform the public of problems at the beach and of Koktem's intended actions. Then we will register those individuals interested in becoming involved. At this point, we have the committed support of the members of our club, as well as the support of students from schools throughout Atbasar, groups for troubled teenagers and children in state custody.

The first activity of the project will be to clean the old beach area of garbage and weeds. We plan to expand the beach, so vegetation will need to be removed from surrounding areas. We will use a bulldozer and tractor to smooth out and create the beach area. The tractor will be used to haul away the garbage and vegetation. Sand for the beach will be donated by other organizations in the city. The bulldozer and tractor will also be used to haul and disperse the sand on the beach area.

Next, we will make wood benches, shadow canopies, changing and toilet facilities. Volunteers from the organization and community will help us. Together with the city administration, we will create a schedule of garbage removal involving the inhabitants of the neighboring areas. The members of our organization will conduct regular beach clean-ups and monitor the ecological conditions of the area. Included in this monitoring will be the expulsion of cattle from the area.

Finally, we will organize a group of lifeguards at the beach and a small medical office. We hope to receive aid from the city administration for the above items.

Expected Results

• The people of our community will understand what part they play in the health of the environment and how they can help nature;
• Teenagers and young people will participate in ecological work, resulting in heightened environmental consciousness among youth;
• The new beach area will become a favorite gathering place for people during the summer months;
• After successful implementation of this project, the people of Atbasar will feel empowered and ready to become involved in other actions.

Project time frame: We hope to begin the project as soon as possible and expect the work to take three months.

Budget: