Citizen activist and lawyer, Erik Iriskulbekov, revealed that the boundaries of other green zones in Bishkek might also be defined. This news brings joy to the residents who have been striving for over a decade to restore the original boundaries of parks and squares in the city. Efforts by civic activists have previously been in vain, but now there seems to be a political will from the city mayor's office to make a significant legal decision to determine the previous boundaries of Ataturk Park. This positive trend is hoped to extend to other parks in the city such as Karagach Grove, Panfilov Park, Youth Park, Fuchik Park, Alamedin Park, and Kychan Djakypov Park.
Iriskulbekov expressed hope that such decisive actions will set a precedent for construction companies and individuals who own land plots within these parks, emphasizing that the collective welfare should not be compromised, and eventually, responsibility will be enforced, leading to the return of land plots. The municipality possesses mechanisms for reclaiming plots and demolishing buildings.
The activist highlighted that these boundaries existed previously, and land plots were unlawfully distributed despite the State Act defining the territory of Ataturk Park. Efforts are now being made to rectify these illegal actions. Various legal mechanisms for the return of plots are being explored, drawing from experiences in other countries. High taxation rates and restrictions on property transactions are some proposed strategies to discourage the exploitation of these lands.
Mayor Aybek Djunushaliev signed a resolution to affirm the boundaries of Ataturk Park spanning 107 hectares within the limits set by the 1992 resolution of the Bishkek City Administration. Previously allocated 43 hectares for construction purposes are to be reverted back to the park. It was confirmed that the houses within the park boundaries will not be demolished.
Established in the late 1950s as a dendrological park of the Botanical Garden of the Kyrgyz SSR Academy of Sciences, the park underwent several transformations over the years. In the 1990s, part of the park was developed with various residential buildings, and in the 2000s, it became embroiled in scandals involving the illicit sale of land to high-ranking officials or their relatives for private housing. The recent decision to reaffirm the park's boundaries marks a significant step towards restoring the city's green spaces and preserving its public areas.
