The shallowing of Lake Issyk-Kul is present, but it is more of a cyclical nature, - Minister Meder Mashiev

Minister Meder Mashiev confirmed that the shrinking of Lake Issyk-Kul is being observed, but it has a cyclical nature. The full cycle of water level changes in the lake lasts 330 years. In the 60s and 70s, the water level reached its maximum, after which it declined. This was reported by the Minister of Ecology in an interview with AKIpress, as stated by the head of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Meder Mashiev.

According to Mashiev, this process is under control, although some changes are still occurring.

“This year we developed and approved a concept for the ecology and economy of Issyk-Kul. Within this concept, it is necessary to create an action plan. We are conducting various studies and plan to approve regulations for studying the condition of the lake, including hydrophysical and hydrochemical parameters, as well as microbiological research,” he said.

The head of the Ministry of Natural Resources also noted that the ministry is cooperating with international organizations: a recent expedition was conducted by the Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and earlier — an expedition by Leipzig University from Germany.

“We strive to participate in such research and create a planned regulation. Previously, the authorized bodies did not have a unified monitoring of the condition of Issyk-Kul. The Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Agriculture, and we monitored the situation separately. Now we intend to combine these efforts and conduct a comprehensive study. Measures are currently being taken to implement a monitoring system,” Mashiev concluded.