Almaty pledges 1 million new trees to revive its shrinking green spaces
Almaty’s city council has refined this year’s budget to focus on green spaces and urban improvements. During its 16th session, officials approved plans to plant an extra 1 million trees over the next two years. The move comes as part of an ongoing effort to address the city’s shrinking green areas and ageing tree population. The push for more trees began in 2020, with a long-term goal of planting 1 million new saplings. This year alone, around 350,000 young trees will be added across the city. Despite having 2.6 million trees, Almaty still lacks enough parks, public gardens, and pedestrian-friendly zones.
Current data shows that one in five of the city’s trees is weakened or in poor health. To fund these environmental projects, the administration will reallocate parts of the budget. The money will support socially important initiatives, including urban greening and public space upgrades. The new planting programme aims to improve air quality and expand green areas in Almaty. With 350,000 saplings set for this year and another 650,000 by 2026, the city expects a noticeable increase in urban greenery. Budget adjustments will ensure the project moves forward without delays.
