A Kazakhstani woman admired the beauty of Balkhash but was upset by the behavior of vacationers

"Half of the vacationers simply left and abandoned their trash"

The author of the post shared that she traveled from Astana for a vacation and was captivated by the beauty of Balkhash. However, she noted that her experience was marred by the behavior of some visitors.

"I honestly didn't think there were still people who could just up and leave their trash behind in nature. Half of the vacationers simply drove off, leaving bags, bottles, and so on—they just made a mess and left! I won't even mention the watermelons; it’s unpleasant to see the rinds, but at least those decompose, unlike plastic. I am deeply saddened by this consumerist attitude toward nature. Let's think about what we are leaving behind!" she wrote.

Photo: From the author's social media post

Many users in the comments admitted they regularly encounter similar issues and called for stricter penalties for environmental pollution.

How many tons of trash were removed from Balkhash over the weekend

The Balkhash Akimat (city administration) explained that the maintenance of beaches within city limits, as well as in the villages of Chubar-Tyubek and Torangalyk, is the responsibility of organizations managing the resort zones. The press service also noted that popular vacation spots are located not only in these areas but also on the lake's southern shore.

According to the Akimat, during the three-day holiday period from July 4 to 6 alone, approximately 200 tons of solid municipal waste.

Furthermore, the press service reported that joint raids involving the police and civil defense authorities are conducted on a regular basis. Those violating landscaping and waste management rules are held administratively liable under Article 505 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Sanctions under this article provide for the following fines:

• For individuals – 20 MRP (86,500 tenge for 2026);
• For small businesses and non-profit organizations – 30 MRP (129,750 tenge for 2026);
• For medium-sized businesses – 40 MRP (173,000 tenge for 2026);
• For large businesses – 100 MRP (432,500 tenge for 2026).

Fines increase for repeat offenses committed within a year.

The Akimat stated that if a complaint concerns a specific section of the shoreline, the author is encouraged to provide exact geolocation or specify the filming location. If the information is confirmed, the responsible services will organize a cleanup and take necessary measures to restore the area.