Uzbekistan Reforms Environmental and Tourism Governance System

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan is launching a comprehensive reform in the fields of ecology, climate, and tourism in accordance with a new decree issued by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The President of Uzbekistan signed the decree “On Measures to Establish a Management System for Prompt Response to Public Requests in the Fields of Ecology and Tourism.”

The document provides for the creation of new agencies, strengthening environmental oversight, and introducing a system of financial sanctions for legal entities that violate environmental protection legislation.

According to the decree, the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change will be established on the basis of the Ministry of Ecology. This committee will be responsible for implementing a unified environmental policy, expanding green zones, combating the effects of climate change and desertification. Separately, a Tourism Committee will be formed as an independent body.

Key national projects, including “Waste-Free Territory,” “Clean Air,” “Yashil Makon,” “EcoCulture,” and “Bioheritage,” will be transferred to the Ecology Committee. By 2028, new botanical and dendrological parks covering a total area of at least 100 hectares are planned to be created.

A “Green Project Factory” will be established under the committee to develop environmental initiatives, attracting both international and local experts.

From 1 April 2026, a new procedure for applying financial sanctions to legal entities for environmental violations will take effect. Fines will only be imposed on companies, while the double punishment of employees for the same violation will be prohibited.

One of the key innovations will be the creation of the Eco-Police — a special unit under the Ecology Committee that will have law enforcement powers and authority to monitor compliance with environmental protection legislation. The Eco-Police will be formed on the basis of existing inspections and specialized environmental units within the prosecutor’s office.

The Ecology Committee will regularly report to the President on major environmental violations, the fulfillment of tasks by government agencies, and the annulment of decisions that contradict environmental regulations.

In the coming months, government agencies are expected to prepare draft laws and amendments to legislation to implement new regulatory mechanisms.

The President of Uzbekistan also signed the decree “On Measures to Organize the Activities of the National Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Ecology and Climate Change.”

The National Committee for Ecology will assume the functions of the abolished Ministry of Ecology and become the key coordinator of state environmental policy.

Its official status emphasizes independence: interference by government bodies and officials is prohibited.

Current activities of the committee are led by the presidential advisor on ecology, who serves as the chairman of the new body. The structure includes four deputy chairpersons, appointed by the head of state.

The committee becomes the legal successor of the former ministry and gains the authority to approve the structures of protected natural areas and forestry enterprises. Regional units in Karakalpakstan, the regions, and Tashkent will be removed from local government control and report directly to the committee.

A central element of the reform is the creation of the State Environmental Control Inspectorate — the Eco-Police. It will have the status of a law enforcement unit with the right to use physical force, electroshock devices, and service weapons with rubber bullets. All personnel will work in uniform and be equipped with body-worn cameras.

A separate technical modernization program for the Eco-Police has been approved for 2025–2027. The system will also introduce a procedure for assigning special ranks to staff.

The environmental governance system will transition to a digital format. By September 2026, a Unified Environmental Online Platform is expected to become operational, ensuring transparent monitoring of pollution and data integration.

Enterprises of the first and second categories of environmental impact are required to install background monitoring stations and connect them to the National Environmental Monitoring Center, which will be established based on the existing analytical structure, by March 2026.

Failure to comply with these requirements will result in fines — compensation payments increased fivefold.

From 1 March 2026, all existing exemptions from compensation payments for environmental damage will be canceled — such exceptions will only be possible on the basis of law.

The issuance of any decisions permitting tree cutting or relocation without compliance with all environmental standards is also strictly prohibited.

From April 2026, citizens will be able to initiate a ban on the alienation of land plots with trees not included in the forest fund. With the support of at least 10% of residents of a mahalla, the Ecology Committee will be obliged to impose a ban on re-registration of such plots.

This innovation effectively introduces a mechanism of public environmental veto.

Protected natural areas will report directly to the National Committee and acquire the status of objects of national significance. Their liquidation or reduction in area will now only be possible by decision of the parliamentary chambers.

Local authorities will be able to create their own nature parks and reserves; however, the procedure for their liquidation will also be tightened, requiring a decision by the corresponding local councils.

By November 2026, at least two new local nature parks should be created in Karakalpakstan and the regions.

The decree establishes the State Target Fund for Addressing Nationwide Environmental Issues.

Its financing will come from multiple sources, including 900 billion soums from the 2025 budget; 548 billion soums in 2026; 20% of revenue from carbon trading; compensation payments, fines, and sanctions; a portion of recycling fees; and, from 2027, 100% of recycling fees for tires.

The Fund’s Management Board will annually approve a program of projects with mandatory reporting to the public.