Bishkek Mayor's Office Explains Tree Felling as 'Necessary for Improvement'

Bishkek's municipal administration has responded to public outcry regarding the recent felling of trees on Ibraimova Street, near the Dordoi Plaza shopping center. A citizen's viral social media post decrying the removal of numerous 'healthy trees' and green spaces sparked outrage, with accusations that the city is sacrificing its greenery. The municipality, however, maintains that the action is a necessary part of urban development.

According to an official survey conducted at the request of the Sverdlovsk district administration, the removed trees and shrubs were deemed to be 'obstructing the improvement of the territory.' The felled trees included 12 birches, 3 maples, 1 pine, 10 chestnut trees, and 5 firs. Additionally, approximately 140 meters of hedges and 340 square meters of lawn were removed. The total estimated replacement cost for these green spaces is over 256,000 Kyrgyz soms, which is to be transferred to the municipal enterprise 'Bishkekzelenstroy'.

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The green spaces obstruct the improvement of the territory.

While the authorities assert that the work was coordinated with relevant services and carried out according to regulations, the specific details of the planned construction or improvement projects remain vague. This lack of transparency has fueled further public concern, with many questioning the necessity of removing these specific trees and whether compensatory planting will occur. The situation highlights a recurring tension in Bishkek between the need for urban development and the preservation of the city's green infrastructure, a topic often debated among residents who value the city's natural environment.

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The city will suffocate without greenery.