Kyrgyzstan ratified a significant agreement with Russia on Wednesday to undertake extensive decontamination of radioactive sites across the country. The agreement addresses the environmental damage caused by uranium and heavy metals mining during the Soviet era.
The project will focus on cleaning up 92 sites with over 300 million cubic meters of toxic and radioactive waste. This effort aims to protect local populations from the hazards of waste from former uranium mines, which, if left untreated, could be exacerbated by natural disasters like landslides, risking widespread contamination.
President Sadyr Japarov’s office highlighted the agreement’s goal to safeguard residents living in contaminated areas. Russian state-run nuclear corporation Rosatom is also engaged in similar decontamination efforts in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
On the same day, Kyrgyzstan celebrated the removal of 55 tons of Samin, a toxic rocket fuel component, from a village near Bishkek. This cleanup, supported by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, is a crucial step in mitigating environmental risks.
Additionally, the EU and World Bank are contributing funds to support these restoration initiatives.
