Uzbekistan Approves Regulations for Tree Transplanting

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan has approved a procedure for issuing permits for the transplanting, shaping, and sanitary pruning of green spaces not included in the state forest fund. The corresponding resolution was adopted on 30 June.

According to the document, the transplanting, shaping, and sanitary pruning of trees are permitted only during the period after the end of the autumn vegetation season and until 1 April of the following year.

Plant size restrictions have been established for transplanting. The height of a tree must not exceed 130 centimeters, the trunk diameter must not exceed 15 centimeters, and the root collar diameter of shrubs must not exceed 10 centimeters.

Citizens and organizations that receive a permit are required to ensure the care of the transplanted trees and shrubs for three years after the work is carried out. In addition, at least 10 trees must be planted as compensation.

The authority to issue permits has been assigned to the National Committee for Ecology. To obtain a permit, an applicant must submit information regarding the species and quantity of trees or shrubs, their location, and the purpose of the transplanting or pruning.

The fee for reviewing the application is set at 30% of the base calculating amount. An additional fee is charged for issuing the permit, the amount of which depends on the tree species and its trunk thickness.

The minimum fee for low-value tree species with a thickness of up to 4 centimeters is 20% of the base calculating amount, while for valuable species, it starts from 40% of the base calculating amount.

Applications will be reviewed within 10 working days. The issued permit remains valid until the end of the calendar year in which it was issued.

Permits for transplanting large trees can only be issued on the basis of decisions by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Such a decision is permitted during the implementation of projects for the construction and reconstruction of road and transport infrastructure, facilities of state programmes, large investment projects, and other projects of state importance.