Kyrgyz lawmakers protest Uzbek plant near border

A plant and landfill located on the territory of Uzbekistan have been disrupting the lives of approximately 60,000 residents in the Nooken district of Kyrgyzstan's Jalalabad region. The issue was raised on June 24 during a meeting of the Jogorku Kenesh Committee on Fuel and Energy Complex, Mineral Resource Use, and Industrial Policy.

MP Zamirbek Mamasadikov reported that strong odors and smoke from the plant and landfill have hurt the health and daily life of residents. Both facilities are situated just across the border from the village of Dostuk in the Nooken district.

“I was born and still live in the village of Shamaldi-Soy. I know firsthand how hard it is to live next to a plant and landfill,” said the deputy. “When the soap factory on Uzbek territory operates, the wind carries a terrible smell and smoke into several Kyrgyz villages. It affects around 60 to 70 thousand people.” Mamasadikov added that the issue had been raised during a local meeting a year ago, after which the Uzbek side had reportedly promised to shut down both the landfill and the plant within 10 days. “But a year has passed, and nothing has changed. This is a serious issue for our people. The landfill and the soap factory are interconnected—waste is sorted, raw materials are extracted, and soap is produced. Without waste, the plant would not function. This must finally be resolved.”

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of Kyrgyzstan, Asel Raimkulova, stated that the landfill is now closed and reclamation work has been completed.

“We were informed that the plant has temporarily suspended operations, although reports suggest it still functions occasionally. We have proposed joint monitoring and requested a specific date, but we have yet to receive a response from our Uzbek counterparts. Negotiations are ongoing with the relevant authorities,” she said.

Local officials noted that the plant typically begins operating after 4:00 p.m.

“When we start voicing our complaints publicly, they shut it down. But we have collected photo and video evidence,” they added.

The MPs did not name the plant or specify the type of production facility involved.