Mirziyoyev Introduces Emergency Measures to Improve Tashkent’s Environment

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a decree “On Urgent Measures to Improve the Environmental Situation in Tashkent.”

The decree establishes a special commission in the capital responsible for enhancing the city’s ecological conditions.

The commission is authorized to impose restrictions during periods of increased dust levels on industrial enterprises, transport, heating systems, and other sectors, including limiting vehicular traffic.

Customs duties are abolished for individuals and businesses importing household air purifiers (HS code 850980) into Uzbekistan.

Additionally, the previously enforced spring-summer restriction prohibiting the use of potable water for irrigating trees and plants on private land between midnight and 5 a.m. is canceled for both individuals and legal entities.

Within the next three months, at least three artificial lakes and water reservoirs will be created in each of Tashkent’s four districts — east, west, north, and south. A separate program will double the number of fountains across the city.

The Ministry of Energy has been tasked with ensuring contracts for natural gas supply to all greenhouses in Tashkent and surrounding areas within one week and guaranteeing uninterrupted gas delivery.

A draft law will be developed to introduce criminal liability with confiscation of heating facilities in cases where greenhouses of 200 m² or more burn fuels, materials, or waste such as tires, bitumen, fuel oil, used motor oil, plastic film, rubber, wool fibers, and other substances.

For construction sites of 500 m² or more, the following measures are mandatory:

• Greening at least 25% of the total area;
• Installation of water sprinkling systems;
• Creation of washing pools for vehicle wheels at entry and exit points.

Transport of construction materials and household waste must be carried out in vehicles with enclosed bodies (tarpaulin or PVC).

For plots larger than 1,000 m², the installation of background monitoring stations integrated into the Environmental Committee’s system is mandatory.