Cultural heritage sites in Kazakhstan and Turkey face rising vandalism

Increasing instances of vandalism against natural and historical monuments are being reported in Kazakhstan and Turkey.

In Kazakhstan, the 4,000-year-old Boralday petroglyphs in the Turkistan region have suffered damage from hammers, sharp objects, and graffiti. The site, which contains over 3,000 unique carvings, lacks protection because the land remains under private ownership and was not included in the Syrdarya-Turkistan State Regional Nature Park. Similar vandalism, including aerosol spray paint, has been observed in the Katon-Karagay National Park in East Kazakhstan.

In Turkey, historical sites have also faced significant damage. The Süleymaniye Mosque complex in Istanbul has experienced theft of mosaic stones and unauthorized drilling. In Amasya, a 2,200-year-old tomb was damaged by treasure hunters and spray paint, prompting restoration efforts by Amasya University. Additionally, the iconic Fairy Chimneys in Cappadocia have been targeted with graffiti, threatening the region's unique natural and cultural landscape.