The president proposed declaring 2025 in Uzbekistan as the Year of environmental protection and green economy in his speech at the Legislative Chamber. The government will develop a state program aimed at addressing the key objectives outlined in the year’s theme.
In 2025, Uzbekistan will allocate additional 100 billion soums for Yashil Makon (Green Land) tree-planting project, president announced. The investment program will now cover 3 years of tree maintenance and the management of 16 million ha of pastures.
Eco-stickers for transportation is expected to be required across Uzbekistan, starting from June 1. Most vehicles are to receive free stickers, with new cars and electric vehicles getting green stickers. Compensations and fines are anticipated to regulate entry into eco-zones.
Ecology Ministry announced a Car-Free-Day in Tashkent on Friday, March 29. Earlier, a presidential decree instructed all government employees, including heads of state bodies, to commute to work using public transportation on this day.
International Union for Conservation of Nature opened a representative office at Green University, a new Central Asian university of environmental studies and climate change in Uzbekistan. IUCN Director General Gretel Aguilar participated in the opening ceremony of the office and university.
Minister of Ecology of Uzbekistan Aziz Abdukhakimov asserted in an interview with Gazeta.uz his responsibility to advocate for the prohibition of coal and fuel oil, despite the forced conversion of greenhouses and social facilities to coal fuel. “People's support empowers us,” he stated.
Uzbekistan plans to ban the construction of cement plants, Minister of Ecology Aziz Abdukhakimov shared. Out of the 47 existing plants, 23 have suspended operations, he noted. A study of 25 cement producers revealed that 90% of them violate environmental requirements.
Activists, bloggers and artists held a flash mob #TozaHavoKerak in the Tashkent city center to draw attention to environmental problems, emphasizing poor air quality. They expect the authorities to take long-term and comprehensive solutions rather than one-off measures, they said. Photos included.
Uzbekistan will adopt the “zero waste” principles in its solid waste management system, aiming to gradually achieve full recycling and incineration at all landfills.
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