Kazakhstan

Population: 15,185,844 (July 2005 est.)

Capital: Astana

Environmental Issues: radioactive or toxic chemical sites associated with former defence industries and test ranges scattered throughout the country pose health risks for humans and animals; industrial pollution is severe in some cities; because the two main rivers which flowed into the Aral Sea have been diverted for irrigation, it is drying up and leaving behind a harmful layer of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then picked up by the wind and blown into noxious dust storms; pollution in the Caspian Sea; soil pollution from overuse of agricultural chemicals and salination from poor infrastructure and wasteful irrigation practices

Neighbours of The Polygon

The residents of Semey in northern Kazakhstan live 150 kilometers from the former Soviet nuclear test site known as The Polygon. From 1949 to 1989 the residents of Semey and the surrounding villages were exposed to the fallout of numerous nuclear tests. In fact, a total of 456 tests were carried throughout this period.

In the small town of Begen live many residents that can recall their experiences at the time of the testing and the environmental changes that occurred throughout Soviet times. These include the impacts of nuclear fallout on their villages and the associated environmental impacts of land collectivisation.

The following memoirs are from the residents of Begen. Their recollections tell of the fear they experienced in the past and the uncertainty of the future due to the nuclear testing.

	Telman Kadyrkhanov
	As a child, Telman lived in a town overlooking the Polygon. He recalls witnessing several explosions and tells of the impact it had on his village. Telman worked as a hydrologist during the collectivization of farms and the Soviet ‘Virgin Lands Scheme'. He believes that this has had the greatest impact on the local environment.
	Alla Zharkimbaeva
	In Semey, cancer rates are higher than many other places around the globe. Alla runs an organisation called ‘Together Against Cancer', a not for profit organisation aimed at improving the lives of those diagnosed with cancer. She is a cancer survivor herself and tells of the hardship experienced by the people of Semey and surrounds in dealing with this devastating disease.
	Rakhima Eshi
	Rakhima recalls the toxic green rain that fell after some of the atmospheric nuclear tests at the Polygon. She recalls fond memories of her childhood playing in the forest surrounding the village of Begen ; something the local children cannot do today.
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