Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - On 24 August, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a video conference on improving the environmental situation, effectively organizing tree protection and expanding green areas.

In our country, as well as throughout the world, environmental problems are growing. This is caused by both natural factors and the activities of the person himself. 

So, over the past 4 years, the number of industrial enterprises in Uzbekistan has doubled, the level of dust and gas pollution in the cities exceeded the norm by 4 times. In the regions of the country, the area of green spaces has decreased by 3-4 times. The level of aboveground and underground waters has decreased.

The facts of construction on vacant plots between multi-storey buildings, cutting down trees, despite the declared moratorium, reduction of green areas cause discontent among the population.

The State Committee for Ecology and Environmental Protection, local authorities do not show initiative and do not carry out practical work in this direction.

In this regard, the meeting critically examined the problems in the field. Alisher Maksudov, Chairman of the State Committee for Ecology and Environmental Protection, was dismissed for his inability to organize systematic work on the ground.

The meeting identified important tasks to improve the environmental situation and expand green areas.

The task was set to plant 55 million seedlings of mulberry, paulownia, maple, oak, walnut, narrow-leaved oak, poplar and other fruit and ornamental trees in the spring of next year along highways, along the perimeter of fields and in all settlements.

It was noted. that for tree care it is necessary to assign one worker to each makhalla, as well as at least 5 workers to district and city improvement departments.

The khokims of the regions were instructed to restore 4.5 thousand kilometers of internal irrigation networks in cities and regional centers.

Harvesting of seedlings plays an important role in improving the ecology and expanding green areas. For example, paulownia nurseries have been established in Andijan, Pakhtabad and Markhamat districts. Or, in the villages of Khojaiduk and Omonkuton of the Urgut region, each household harvested 2,000 seedlings of ornamental trees.

In order to support such farms, to provide the population with high-quality seedlings, it is planned to create “Yashil Zamin” funds in each region.

Responsible persons were instructed to allocate plots to nurseries on a competitive basis, to distribute seedlings of fruit and ornamental trees to the population free of charge at the expense of the Yashil Zamin funds.

Particular attention is paid to the creation of green areas and public parks in cities.

For example, 11 and 27 hectares of the Alisher Navoi park in the city of Karshi have been turned into a "quiet zone" without attractions. Reading corners, walking and cycling paths are available.

At the same time, about 300 recreation parks in the country are under the jurisdiction of various ministries and departments, most of them are in an ownerless state.

Therefore, the responsible persons have been instructed to carry out a complete inventory of trees in all recreation parks and to increase the number of public parks. It is indicated that 70 percent of recreation parks should be green areas, in which it is prohibited to build any buildings and structures.

The need to create one walking place in each district of Tashkent and one green zone in each mahalla with multi-storey buildings was emphasized. Ornamental trees should also be planted along 60 kilometers of canals and 250 kilometers of sidewalks. The khokim of the city of Tashkent has been given appropriate instructions.

As you know, in accordance with the Concept on environmental protection of the Republic of Uzbekistan approved by the decree, the President has introduced a moratorium on cutting down valuable species of trees and shrubs until 2030. Thanks to this measure, effective until 31 December 2020, 316 thousand trees have been saved from cutting. But, despite this, about 5 thousand trees were illegally cut down.

In this regard, the head of state ordered to strengthen measures to protect trees. In particular, the moratorium on tree felling will be extended until 2024, and the responsibility for violating it will be significantly increased. It is strictly forbidden to cut trees in green areas and public parks.

An environmental police will be created in Tashkent and regional centers. It will be entrusted with the tasks of combating offenses in the field of ecology, including unauthorized felling of trees, disposal of waste in the wrong place, poaching and others.

At the same time, the amount of fines in the field of ecology will be increased 5 times, and the amount of compensation for damage caused - 2 times.

They will also touch upon the issue of waste collection and recycling. It was noted that waste management has improved in regions where public-private partnerships have been established.

In particular, in the city of Namangan, Turakurgan, Mingbulak and Namangan districts, coverage of mahallas with sanitary services reached 92 percent, and revenue doubled. A waste sorting plant was put into operation for the first time in Fergana with the attraction of investments for 7 billion soums.

The importance of the dissemination of this experience in other regions, the implementation of new projects on the basis of partnerships with the private sector was pointed out.

The need for the development of environmental science and innovations was emphasized. Today, only 10 percent of more than 2 thousand employees of the State Committee for Environmental Protection are specialized specialists.

In this regard, instructions were given to improve the activities of the research institute under the committee, to develop the training of personnel, especially scientific personnel.

For this, the institute will be equipped with modern technology and laboratory equipment. The quotas for doctoral studies will be doubled. An Academic Council will be established at the institute, which will award degrees in ecology and environmental protection.

Responsible persons reported on the issues discussed at the meeting.