Nazarbayev checked on the progress of the project to create a "green belt" around Astana that he initiated over 15 years ago. The project transformed a barren steppe into a forest. Currently, the total area of the green woodlands created around Astana in the period from 1997 to 2013 makes 70,000 hectares. It is planned to continue the effort and bring it to100,000 hectares by 2020.
Green Belt around Astana to be extended