Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A public debate over Uzbekistan’s indefinite moratorium on tree cutting, introduced in 2022, reignited last week following a controversial proposal made by Murad Nazarov, founder of Murad Buildings.

His comments, made during an open dialogue with the construction industry organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stirred both industry support and strong backlash from environmental authorities.

Nazarov proposed replacing the blanket ban with a system of compensatory tree planting. He argued that developers are already forced to deal with trees on construction sites without a clear legal mechanism, which often leads to illegal felling. He claimed the moratorium fosters corruption rather than solving ecological challenges.

“I suggest creating a ‘tree bank.’ Each construction company knows the scope of its upcoming work and can plant trees in advance, which would later be transferred to the balance of local authorities. This could be a form of investment,” Nazarov stated.

Strong Rebuttal from the Ministry of Ecology

Nazarov’s initiative was swiftly and firmly rejected by the Ministry of Ecology, which issued an official response on 19 July.

The Ministry emphasized Uzbekistan’s environmental vulnerability, noting that more than 60% of the country consists of deserts and semi-deserts, and that climate warming in the region is occurring at twice the global average rate. In such conditions, green spaces are not just beneficial but crucial for ecological balance and climate resilience.

Key points from the Ministry's statement:

Mature trees are irreplaceable in terms of their ecological functions, including CO₂ absorption, microclimate regulation, and biodiversity support.

Legalizing tree felling with compensatory planting opens the door to corruption and manipulation, a pattern observed in several other countries.

In countries with milder climates—such as Germany, the UK, Russia, and Kazakhstan—tree removal is strictly regulated and can result in severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment.

The Ministry also condemned the “cynical inventiveness” of some developers who allegedly use chemicals to “dry out” trees, facilitating their legal removal. It called on law enforcement agencies to investigate methods used by Nazarov in his past projects.

Firm Government Stance Amid Environmental Priorities

The Ministry reminded the public that 2025 has been declared the Year of Environmental Protection and the Green Economy in Uzbekistan. The country has committed to a path of sustainable development, with the preservation of existing green spaces as a top priority.

“Global experience proves that sustainable construction is only possible with the preservation of existing trees. The Ministry is open to dialogue but not to revising fundamental ecological principles,” the statement concluded.

As a result, Nazarov’s proposal to revise the moratorium was unequivocally rejected.

Uzbekistan maintains a strong position on environmental protection, prioritizing long-term ecological resilience in the face of intensifying climate challenges.