Kazakhstan environmental sustainable development

http://srdis.ciesin.columbia.edu/cases/kazakhstan-002.html

http://raymondsoltysek.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/aral-sea-desertification-1024x630.jpg 

Kazakhstan has a lot of environmental diversity and dependence. its border hold within it every type of landscape, from deserts to tundras and everything in between. In addition, one some of its most profitable markets are founded upon the environment's bounties, such as the sturgeon's black caviar from the Caspian Sea, a delicacy throughout the world. It also has a thriving mineral economy. Land is also consumed for such common things as urban development, agriculture, and government purposes such as military bases and nuclear weapons testing grounds. Under these factors, especially the latter, Kazakhstan's environment bordered on complete destruction and collapse. Kazakhstan is now fighting for its environmental health along with the UN and EU, combating desertification, extinction, and climate change. ecologically sustainable development has become one of their key goals in moving forward for fighting this trio. To get moving in this direction, the president approved the Concept of Ecological Safety in 1996, which clearly sets a foundation of Kazakhstan's environmental policy in the future. The council on Sustainable Development was created, and soon after the National Environment Action Plan for Sustainable Development (of Kazakhstan), abbreviated NEAPSD. To prevent ineffectiveness, poor planning, and wasting of funds, the Ministry of Ecology was created to coordinate NEAPSD and make sure that funds are spent on top priority environmental issues in the most effective and efficient of ways. However, progress has been hindered by the inability to enforce new environmental laws, essentially meaning nobody cares about or respects the laws above their profits or quality of life. A new process was created to compensate for this problem, which identifies top-priority issues and then plans projects regarding that issue which will hopefully be direct roots to solving the issue at hand. the NEAPSD Center was then also created to prepare for the NEAPSD process and coordinate all ecological projects. The government of Kazakhstan has gathered support for the NEAPSD process from the World Bank, the UN Development Program, and TACIS. the NEAPSD Center  accomplishes the following (in Kazakhstan): analysis of the environment and identification of top-priority issues, coordination and execution of projects and programs for the resolution of top-priority issues, keeping the community engaged and informed regarding the NEAPSD, and local support of environmental projects and programs. the NEAPSD Center also makes sure that any actions committed toward the environment are in line with international environment laws, and it educates the public by sourcing consultants and experts in Kazakhstan willing to share their knowledge, and by using the assistance of the German Society for Technical Assistance. top-priority focus has been broken down by province with the exception of a national level and a level for the city of Almaty specifically. Some of the current projects (that are currently blocked by government processes) include: the foundation of a center that essentially keeps tabs on donors (similar to the American blood drive), and another that would further involve and inform the public about the NEAPSD Process and its progress coupled with an environmental education system at preexisting education institutes. Ultimately, the NEAPSD Center has done a lot to further environmental improvement and regulation in Kazakhstan.