Kazakhstan takes action: President signs law establishing Semipalatinsk nuclear safety zone

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan has signed a law pertaining to the establishment of the Semipalatinsk nuclear safety zone, Tengrinews reports.

The signed laws include "On the Semipalatinsk nuclear safety zone" and "On amendments and additions to certain legal documents on the issues of the Semipalatinsk nuclear safety zone, ecology, and electric power."

The objective of this legislation is to create a nuclear safety zone within the former Semipalatinsk nuclear test site. The main purpose of this zone is to ensure nuclear and radiation safety and facilitate the restoration of the territory previously used for nuclear testing.

To address the contamination issues, a specialized zone will be established in the polluted areas based on the comprehensive ecological examination and state ecological examination findings.

The law "On the Semipalatinsk nuclear safety zone" outlines the following provisions:

1. The creation of a designated area known as the "Semipalatinsk nuclear safety zone" encompassing the former Semipalatinsk test site and surrounding regions with high levels of radioactive contamination.
2. Measures to limit the spread of radioactive contamination.
3. The restoration of the territory within the Semipalatinsk nuclear safety zone through the collection and disposal of radioactive waste found in the test site area.
4. The implementation of continuous monitoring to assess the level of radioactive contamination in the Semipalatinsk nuclear safety zone.

Semipalatinsk, located in eastern Kazakhstan, was the site of extensive nuclear testing during the Soviet era. Between 1949 and 1989, over 450 nuclear tests were conducted in the region, resulting in significant radioactive contamination and environmental damage. The tests had severe consequences for the health and well-being of the local population.

In response to these issues, the Semipalatinsk nuclear safety zone is being established to ensure nuclear and radiation safety, as well as to facilitate the rehabilitation and monitoring of the affected territory.