В Кыргызстане разрабатывается методика расчета затрат на рекультивацию земель

A methodology for calculating the costs of land reclamation is being developed in Kyrgyzstan

To date, more than 2,700 licenses for subsoil use have been issued in the country, yet the reclamation of disturbed lands remains ineffective. One of the reasons for this is the lack of a clear mechanism for calculating the costs of land liquidation and restoration. To address this gap, the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Kyrgyz Republic has established an interdepartmental working group (IWG) that includes representatives from key agencies, including the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision, the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry, the State Project Institute for Land Management "Kyrgyzgiprozem," and independent experts.

Asel Raimkulova, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources of the Kyrgyz Republic, emphasized at the first meeting of the group on November 1, 2024, that work on the methodology has been ongoing since last year with the participation of international and national consultants. According to her, specialists from state agencies will also contribute to the development of the document, which will establish calculation requirements for all participants. The meeting focused on the relevance of developing the methodology, its justification, calculation approaches, and analysis of international experience.

The project under which the methodology is being developed is implemented by the "СAMР Alatoo" РF with the support of UNDP and aims to improve environmental monitoring and land restoration in Kyrgyzstan. Adilet Sekimov, a UNDP representative, noted that the methodology will be an important tool for strengthening the legal framework for land reclamation and will allow for more effective resolution of environmental issues in the country.

Independent consultant Olga Medoeva, who is involved in the development of the methodology, pointed out that the lack of accurate data on the state of disturbed and restored lands complicates damage assessment. She added that the introduction of transparent requirements and control mechanisms will not only prevent further pollution but also create opportunities for the subsequent use of restored lands in agriculture, tourism, and science.

Several approaches have been proposed for calculating reclamation costs, including a percentage of drilling and construction costs, the area of disturbed lands, and the subsistence minimum considering geological exploration investments. These approaches will help develop an optimal "formula" for calculation, beneficial for both government agencies and subsoil users.

Furthermore, the working group discussed financial mechanisms, reporting and control mechanisms, the necessity of environmental monitoring, and the involvement of civil activists and local communities at all stages of the process—from extraction to restoration. During the review of national legislation, IWG members noted that although mandatory land reclamation is stipulated, a clear mechanism for its implementation is lacking. Independent ecologist Olga Pavlova proposed amendments to regulatory acts to strengthen the legal framework.

At the meeting, it was suggested to expand the IWG by adding representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the National Bank, the National Statistics Committee, project institutes, and representatives of the mining industry. The Ministry of Natural Resources of the Kyrgyz Republic confirmed that an updated order on the composition of the IWG would be ready for the next meeting, scheduled for mid-November.

The event was held with the support of the "СAMР Alatoo" РF as part of the project “Improvement of environmental monitoring and reclamation tools in the Kyrgyz Republic”.