Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan's Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis has passed the "On Pastures" bill in its first reading, introducing proposed new mechanisms for the use and protection of pastureland, the lower house's press service said.
According to the information presented, pastures cover a total of 21.2 million hectares across the country. Of this area, 16.3 million hectares are managed by territorial pasture enterprises under the Agency for Livestock and Pasture Development.
Another 3 million hectares belong to the forestry fund, while more than 1 million hectares are designated for environmental protection, health and recreational purposes.
A further 890,000 hectares are allocated to farms, agricultural enterprises and other organisations.
The bill aims to introduce digital mechanisms for pastureland protection and reduce land degradation. It also seeks to establish legal conditions for treating pastureland as an economic asset and creating community pastures.
The proposed legislation would expand the range of activities permitted on pastureland. In addition to livestock farming, it would allow ecotourism, beekeeping and the cultivation of medicinal plants.
A separate provision introduces the concept of community pastures. This is intended to regulate how local residents use these lands and provide opportunities for grazing livestock.
The bill also proposes bringing unused pastures into economic circulation through electronic auctions, investment agreements and public-private partnership mechanisms.
It would simplify procedures for local residents and businesses to obtain pastureland for use through lease agreements and a ticket-based system.
