Information about the plans for the construction of sports facilities became known in mid-January, causing a wave of concern among residents and ecologists. They believe that such facilities should be located in other parts of the city, and that the Botanical Garden is intended for the study and preservation of vegetation. Comparisons were made on social media with the Botanical Garden in Almaty, where, after renovations, its scientific and recreational functions were preserved. A petition was initiated in defense of the garden, gathering more than 2,000 signatures.
The petition emphasizes: "Football fields will not provide us with clean air and coolness on hot days, as the shaded alleys of the garden do. This decision could jeopardize the years of work by scientists and ecologists aimed at preserving the biodiversity of our area."
Reasons for Local Residents' Protests
City dwellers actively discussed the situation on social media:“The Botanical Garden was created not for entertainment, but for scientific research and the preservation of unique plant species. It houses entire collections, not just green plantings.”
“Migratory birds choose the Botanical Garden, not ordinary parks. Now there is a risk that they will no longer be able to come, and insects will overrun the area. Why do we need an amphitheater and workout areas without proper ecology?”
“The Botanical Garden is the lungs of Bishkek. It plays an important role in the natural circulation of air and the dispersion of smog. Destroying the green zone will worsen the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of people.”
Deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh Dastan Bekeshev also expressed disapproval regarding the construction. In his statements, he emphasized that the Botanical Garden was created for science and the preservation of vegetation, not for football fields.
“In other countries, plants are developed and preserved. Here, they decided to build football fields! What biodiversity can there be when sports grounds replace plants? Such fields are certainly needed, but not in the Botanical Garden. I am sure that no professional football player has asked for a field to be created here. The Botanical Garden is needed not only by Bishkek but by all of Kyrgyzstan. People come here not to play football, but to relax and walk. There are many other places for football fields. I urge the president to pay attention to this. Football should not be in the Botanical Garden!” he stated on January 14 at a meeting of the Jogorku Kenesh.
Opinion of the Botanical Garden Administration
In an interview with "Birinchi Radio," the deputy director of the Botanical Garden, Nurbek Albanov, noted that the mini-football fields are being built on a rocky area where it has not been possible to grow plants for 20-30 years due to the large number of stones in the soil.“We are talking specifically about mini-football fields, not the construction of a large arena. The fields will be outdoors, and mesh fences will be installed around them. The total area of the two fields will not exceed 16 acres, which is a relatively small territory. Scientific work in the garden will continue, and we will carry on with our research,” he added, clarifying that the decision to build was made jointly with the president and the National Academy of Sciences, not solely by the garden administration.
Construction of Football Fields: Known Timelines
Daiyrbek Orunbekov, head of the president's information policy service, also commented on the situation and reminded that the Botanical Garden was previously in a neglected state: trees were drying up, wild animals roamed the territory, and violations were recorded in the evenings. Currently, the process of improving the garden's territory is underway.“The construction of the site is taking place on a rocky area where trees do not grow, and it will serve as a place for youth training and games. The funds generated from the site will go towards the maintenance of the garden. If everything goes according to plan, construction will be completed by summer, and then you will be able to appreciate the changes. For now, I believe it is inappropriate to oppose this while trying to find faults,” he noted.
Thus, the construction of mini-football fields continues.
