Astana Plans to Plant One Million Trees and Shrubs in 2023

Astana is planning to plant one million trees and shrubs in 2023 as part of its active campaign to green urban areas. This year, the capital city aims to install over 1.1 million new plants. All city districts are involved in the greening efforts—new trees, shrubs, and flowers are being placed along roads, in parks and squares, on public spaces, and around urban infrastructure facilities, according to the official website of the Astana Akimat.

Currently, Astana is home to more than 4 million green plants, with about 14 million growing in the "Green Belt" area. Each year, the city plants at least one million trees, shrubs, and flowers.

By 2026, plans include planting 70,000 trees, over 600,000 decorative flowering shrubs, 40,500 hedge plants, and more than 400,000 perennial flowers.

So far this year, more than 700,000 green plants have already been planted, including 21,000 trees, 303,400 decorative flowering shrubs, 28,000 hedge plants, 130,700 shrubs, and 249,200 perennial flowers. The greening efforts will continue in the fall.

Special attention is given to large-sized trees and perennial shrubs. Plant selection considers the capital’s climatic conditions. Popular species include maple, green rowan, small-leaved elm, red willow, and lilac.

Green spaces are sprouting not only in parks and squares but also along main city roads. In particular, new plantings are underway along the Tarlan Astana line, Syganak Street, and Kabanbay Batyr Avenue. Thousands of trees will be planted in certain areas, creating new green zones.

The second phase of the Greenline pedestrian boulevard is also undergoing greening. New walking routes, green spaces, and recreational and play areas are being developed. Comprehensive landscaping includes planting trees, shrubs, and other plants.

Along the Yesil river, a park cluster is being developed, including the Presidential Park, Peace and Harmony Park, Triathlon Park, and other recreational areas. Landscaping of the Yesil embankment continues.

In the "Yesil" district, the green fund includes nearly 240,000 trees, 600,000 shrubs, 65,000 square meters of flower beds, 5 million square meters of lawns, and over 117,000 linear meters of hedges.

Since the beginning of the year, over 40,000 green plants have been planted here. Comprehensive planting efforts were conducted along Kerei-Janibek Khans Street, Uly Dala Avenue, Kabanbay Batyr Avenue, and others. The grounds of the EXPO Park, KTJ square, and the area near the "Al-Farabi" mosque were also greened.

In the "Baikonur" district, more than 2,000 green plants have been planted since the start of the year. This fall, around 500 additional trees and shrubs are planned for Aibay Avenue and Keneesary, Pushkin, and Zh. Tashenov streets.

The first results of last year's plantings are already visible. In the square on Zh. Tashenov Street, 80 apple and pear trees planted last year have successfully taken root and are bearing fruit this season.

In the "Sarayshyk" district, 2,357 trees and 18,577 decorative flowering shrubs have been planted.

In the "Saryarka" district, more than 330,000 green plants, including annual and perennial flowers, shrubs, and more than 1,700 trees have been planted since the beginning of the year. Special attention was given to greening Kumisbayeva Street, where over 500 trees, more than 2,400 shrubs of various species including pines, elms, and lilacs have been planted.

Moreover, extensive greening efforts were carried out on Keneesary Street with a localized irrigation system, in the "Koktal" park, and on residential area territories within the district.

Greening efforts continue in the "Almaty" district as well. The area contains more than 97,700 trees, 67,900 shrubs, 28,200 linear meters of hedges, and 1.7 million square meters of lawns.

In 2025, over 8,000 trees, 26,000 shrubs were planted, more than 20,000 square meters of lawns were set up, and 768 linear meters of hedges were constructed. In 2026, more than 130,000 green plants, including trees, decorative flowering shrubs, perennials, and grasses will be planted, along with lawn development and green zone landscaping.

While 2025 focused on tree planting, this year emphasizes creating a unified aesthetic for green spaces—with the use of perennials, decorative shrubs, lawns, and rock gardens.

In the "Nura" district, over 24,500 trees and about 277,000 decorative and flowering shrubs have been planted over recent years. By the end of the year, plans include planting over 8,500 more trees and over 132,000 shrubs.

Greening continues in new natural areas. The first stage of tree and green plant planting in the Malo-Taldykol district will begin this fall, with a focus on preserving the existing landscape and natural environment as much as possible.

Important work also involves maintaining the established green fund. This includes watering, pest and disease control, fertilization, irrigation system restoration, and other agronomic measures. Such an approach ensures not only an increase in plantings but also their survival and thriving.

Thus, greening in Astana is forming a cohesive system of green areas—from streets and courtyards to parks and boulevards, and the "Green Belt." This year, the city will welcome over 1.1 million new green plantings.

It should be noted that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has previously directed a continued systematic effort to develop urban infrastructure, improve, and green Astana. Improvement works are being conducted in all six districts of the capital. In recent years, about 500 public and courtyard spaces have been improved in Astana.

Reported by ZHKH24 referencing the Astana City Akimat website.

Photo: gov.kz