New Entry Regulations for Medeu and Shymbulak Adopted in Almaty

Almaty's city council members have supported a proposed decision to restrict vehicle access to the specially protected natural areas of the Regional Natural Park 'Medeu' and 'Shymbulak' tract.

The proposal was presented at the session by Arshat Bakhtygereev, the Deputy Head of Almaty's Department of Ecology and Environment. According to him, the restrictions are being introduced to reduce the transport and anthropogenic load on the specially protected natural area.

The need for new regulations arose after the Constitutional Court's ruling on June 12, 2026. The Court deemed the previous restrictions, established by an akimat decree in 2016, unconstitutional, stating that such decisions fall under the authority of the city council and must consider residents' rights.

"We propose not just to maintain the previous order but to establish a lawful mechanism for regulating traffic load considering the ecological situation, legal requirements, and residents' rights," noted Arshat Bakhtygereev.

According to the department's data, approximately 700 vehicles pass through the checkpoint daily. In the first eight months of 2026, there were 179,024 entries, while the entire year of 2022 saw 76,606 entries.

The adopted decision restricts entry for vehicles with internal combustion engines. A separate regime is set for electric vehicles: entry is permitted on weekdays, while restrictions apply to all vehicles on weekends and public holidays.

The new regulations also consider the interests of residents, as well as the operations of emergency, operative, utility, and special services. There are 48 private houses, service-residential buildings of 'Kazhydromet' and 'Kazselezashchita,' as well as facilities of the Tuyuksu tract.

reported by ЖКХ24, citing the website of Almaty's Department of Ecology and Environment.

Photo: gov.kz