Increased penalties for tree cutting to be implemented
The Uzbekistani government has announced an increase in administrative fines by five times for violating the moratorium on cutting valuable varieties of trees and shrubs. The recent presidential decree has determined the obligation to plant compensatory tree saplings instead of the cut trees. Legal entities will be subjected to fines ranging from 100 to 300 BCAs as well.
Moreover, starting from January 1, 2024, plots of the state forest fund will only be leased through the E-auction platform, while privatization of landfills will be prohibited from July 1, 2023. Additionally, every state organization and hokimita will have their own parks by the end of 2023 and will be maintained for three years.
From 2024, growing tree and shrub seedlings at home or on a household basis is an activity that self-employed persons can engage in. These measures have been taken to protect the country’s flora and fauna. Uzbekistan is home to some of the rarest varieties of trees and shrubs, and the government’s actions aim to preserve and protect them from extinction.
The Uzbekistani government has been consistently striving to maintain and increase the country’s green cover. This recent announcement is another step towards achieving that goal. It is hoped that these measures will help in restoring the country’s once-thriving natural biodiversity and conserve its green resources for future generations to come.
