Resistance Arises Against Time Zone Adjustment in Kazakhstan
In the expansive landscape of Kazakhstan, spanning an area about four times larger than Texas, a transformation unfolded. Prior to March 1, the country operated on two time zones. However, that number was slashed, leaving only one: GMT+5, now embraced by the entire nation.
The motive behind this shift involves improved synchronization of the Kazakh population's biological rhythms. Western Kazakhs had enjoyed this advantage, while their eastern counterparts were often ahead of their time, metaphorically speaking. A collective of scientists, lawmakers, influencers, and bureaucrats spent the past year pondering the intricacies of this time zone merger and its potential ramifications on public health.
Daulet Aldyngurov, Director of the Health Ministry's Science and Human Resources Department, mused at a government gathering late last year, "[Miscoordination of biological rhythms] is the origin of prolonged exhaustion, melancholy, insomnia, and decreased productivity." He emphasized the need for unity, suggesting that it's crucial to align the population's natural rhythms.
Cynics have branded this undertaking as unwarranted expenditure. Spanning approximately 3,000 kilometers from west to east, Kazakhstan is as long as the distance between Lisbon and Warsaw, two cities separated by a single time zone. Urumqi, the capital of China's Xinjiang region, borders Kazakhstan but exists in three different time zones.
The snaps captured by Tengri News reporters illustrate the practicalities of the new system vividly. Snaps taken at 6 a.m. in eastern cities on March 1 showed everything bathed in sunlight, while the western cities remained shrouded in darkness. This development has compelled the citizens of East Kazakhstan, nestled in the far northeast, to voice their concerns, pleading to keep their original time zone. As a result, they'll experience the sun setting at 3 p.m. in winter and dawn breaking at 3 a.m in summer, which is hardly conducive to a natural sleep cycle, they grumble.
Environmentalist Dmitry Vladimirsky expresses doubts about the initiative's intended goals. In an interview with Vremya newspaper, he asserts, "The disparity in natural conditions with a unified time entirely obliterates the purpose of this reform." He further hypothesizes that the early onset of darkness in the east will amplify the existing strain on the power grid.
Proponents of the change argue on economic and administrative grounds. They posit that drawing the time zones of Russia and Europe closer to Kazakhstan will streamline commercial and diplomatic communications, ultimately benefiting business operations.
- The shift to a unified time zone in Kazakhstan was initiated with the aim of improving the synchronization of the population's biological rhythms, which could potentially alleviate issues like prolonged exhaustion and decreased productivity.
- Critics view this time zone merger as unnecessary, especially considering Kazakhstan's vast geographical span, which is approximately as long as the distance between Lisbon and Warsaw, two cities separated by a single time zone.
- The new time zone system has sparked concerns among citizens residing in East Kazakhstan, as they will experience a significant shift in their day-night cycle, with the sun setting at 3 p.m. in winter and dawn breaking at 3 a.m in summer, which may not support a natural sleep cycle.
- Environmentalists like Dmitry Vladimirsky question the purpose of this reform, suggesting that the disparity in natural conditions with a unified time could strain the power grid further, particularly due to the early onset of darkness in the eastern regions.
