A government meeting chaired by the president Shavkat Mirziyoyev was held on Tuesday devoted to improving the environmental situation, effectively organizing tree protection and expanding green areas.
In line with the environmental protection concept until 2030 approved by the presidential decree, a standstill on cutting valuable trees and shrubs has been introduced until December 31, 2020, which helped saved 316 thousand trees. But, despite this, about 5 thousand trees were illegally cut down.
In this regard, the head of state ordered to enhance measures to protect trees. In particular, the standstill will be extended until 2024, the liability for violating will be significantly harshened. It will be strictly forbidden to cut trees in green areas and public parks.
An environmental police will be created in Tashkent and provincial centers. It will be tasked with combating offenses in the field of ecology, including unauthorized felling of trees, illegal waste disposal, poaching and others.
At the same time, the amount of environement-related fines will be raised 5 fold, and the amount of compensation for damage caused will be doubled.
He also touched upon the issue of waste collection and recycling, and underscored that waste management has improved in regions where public-private partnerships have been established. In particular, in the city of Namangan, Turakurgan, Mingbulak and Namangan districts, coverage of mahallas with sanitary services reached 92 percent, and the revenues doubled. A waste sorting plant was put into operation for the first time in Fergana with the attraction of investments worth 7 billion soums.
