When Kazakhstan moved its capital to Astana in the late 1990s, the city faced environmental challenges that urban development alone could not solve. Located on the vast Kazakh steppe, it was exposed to strong winds, frequent dust, harsh winters and regular snowstorms. As the capital expanded, the government chose a long-term, nature-based solution rather than relying only on built infrastructure.
Get breaking news anytime, anywhere. Download the TOI app now!
According to a case study by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the effort was designed to improve the urban environment by reducing wind load, improving air quality and lowering dust pollution. It also aimed to create green spaces for residents and visitors while generating employment through forest establishment and maintenance. The work has been financed by the Government of Kazakhstan and implemented by the state enterprise Zhasyl Aimak.
Turning open steppe into woodland was never going to be straightforward. According to the UNECE case study, the area receives only about 150 to 250 millimetres of precipitation each year and experiences strong winds, highly saline soils, groundwater close to the surface and temperatures ranging from about minus 40 degrees Celsius in winter to around 40 degrees Celsius during summer. These conditions meant specialists first had to determine which planting methods and tree species could survive before work could begin on a larger scale.
A scientific approach to growing a forest
According to the UNECE report, scientific research formed the foundation of the programme. Experts assessed planting technologies and identified tree and shrub species that could tolerate the local climate and soils before large-scale work began.
The planning process also drew on afforestation experience in Canada, China, Mongolia and Russia. Instead of copying a single model, the techniques were adapted to suit Astana's environmental conditions.
Preparing the land took several years before planting could begin. Soil was ploughed, harrowed and cultivated before planting, while snow retention methods were used to help conserve moisture. Saplings were raised in specialist nurseries until they were ready to be transferred to prepared sites.
Early planting efforts showed that not every tree species could withstand these conditions. Rather than expanding immediately, specialists planted trees under test conditions to identify varieties that could survive Astana's climate. The experience also helped refine plantation design, soil preparation, desalinisation techniques and species selection before larger areas were planted.
Long-term protection became an equally important part of the work. Measures were introduced to reduce the risk of forest fires, prevent illegal logging and control pests and diseases. As the woodland expanded, wildlife gradually appeared in the area. The UNECE publication describes the growing forest as habitat for animals and birds including foxes, hares and pheasants.
Gradual environmental changes and lessons for the future
As the work progressed, the scale of the transformation became increasingly visible. The UNECE case study says around 78,000 hectares surrounding Astana had been forested by the time the report was published, with the authorities planning to expand the green belt to 100,000 hectares.
While the woodland had not yet reached full maturity, the UNECE report says several environmental changes had already been observed. Data cited from Kazakhstan's national meteorological centre, Kazgidromet, showed that average wind speeds had declined over the years, while the number of snowstorms and fog events in the capital had fallen to roughly one-third of earlier levels. The report notes that the full environmental impact is expected to become clearer as the forests continue to mature.
The expanding woodland also created new recreation opportunities. The UNECE report says work was underway to develop a recreational zone within the forest, adding public green space alongside its environmental role. One of its stated objectives was to improve local livelihoods by creating employment linked to nursery production, planting and the long-term care of the growing woodland.
The experience gained during the programme proved valuable beyond Astana. According to the UNECE publication, the practical knowledge developed through years of planting, soil management and species selection has informed efforts to establish similar green belts around other regional centres in Kazakhstan.
Nearly three decades after the first saplings were planted, the area around Astana reflects the results of long-term planning. As the trees continue to mature, the woodland stands as an example of how careful research, patient implementation and ongoing management can reshape an urban landscape in one of the region's most demanding climates.
