A special commission has begun dismantling greenhouses and disconnecting them from artificial heating systems in the Kibray, Tashkent, Zangiota, and Yuqori Chirchiq districts of the Tashkent province, the press service of the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change said.
The work is being carried out under the leadership of Aziz Abdukhakimov, chair of the Ecology Committee and chief of the special commission. The committee released video footage showing him personally taking part in outreach efforts with residents as well as in the dismantling of the structures.
"During the autumn-winter period, many greenhouses used coal, fuel oil, car tires, and other harmful fuels for artificial heating. This led to emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere in excess of established limits, causing serious harm not only to the environment but also to public health, which has repeatedly prompted legitimate complaints from citizens," the committee's statement said.
The owners have been briefed on the terms for relocating their greenhouses to the "Surkhon-Agro" free economic zone in the Sherabad district of the Surkhandarya province. "Once this happens, the greenhouses are disconnected from heating systems and the relevant contracts are terminated," the committee noted.
For those who relocate to the free economic zone, repayment terms are extended by five years — including a grace period of up to three years — on loans issued to greenhouse operations in both national and foreign currency by international financial institutions, targeted funds, the Reconstruction and Development Fund, and commercial banks. Previously granted guarantees and interest-rate subsidies on these loans will remain in place, the committee clarified.
A one-time compensation for the costs of dismantling, transporting, and reinstalling greenhouse structures and equipment will also be available until April 1, 2028. The payout will be up to 500,000 soums for every 100 square meters (sotka) of land.
In November 2025, amid worsening air quality, it was urgently decided to switch all greenhouses in and around Tashkent to gas. Starting October 1, 2026, the construction of new greenhouses in Tashkent and surrounding areas is also set to be restricted.
In May, Uzbekistan introduced fines for burning waste, tires, rubber, bitumen, and other non-fuel materials, including inside greenhouses. The changes take effect on August 5. Individuals face fines of up to 10.3 million soums, and officials up to 20.6 million soums.
The special commission tasked with implementing urgent measures to improve Tashkent's environmental situation was established by a presidential decree dated November 25, 2025.
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