Gypsum was mined with open method and it is crushed in the same place. This resulted in dispersionof gypsum to environment. At the same time, the rules on development of mines were violated.

In the result, two areas with saxaul forest with total area of 13.5 square meters were destroyed. The age of saxauls was from 10 to 33 years. There has been a change in the entire ecological community and the plant associations, resulting in plummeting food resources and threat to rare species of animals and plants, which were included to the Red Book of Uzbekistan.

Administration of Ecologic Center informed regional Committee on nature protection of Bukhara region, State biologic control and State Nature Committee and Bukhara regional administration.

The joint action plan of Bukhara regional administration and Bukhara regional nature protection committee was adopted to prevent environmental damage due to activities of gypsum mines.

However, the mines are continuing to harm environment. Noise from works of mining equipment and vehicles is scaring animals in the Ecologic Center, which borders with the gypsum mines. At the same time, nobody has taken into account the fact that the gypsum deposits on the border of Ecologic center may be archaeological and paleontological value and in line with the law all works should be immediately suspended until further studies at the area.

As a result of detailed analysis of satellite imagery (the program Google) and field research in recent years showed that gypsum is continuing to fill soil and vegetation degradation continues to increase at an alarming rate.

On 30 March 2011, the special commission carried out additional study at areas near gypsum mines. Soil was taken for exams. Air samples were not taken as the mines were not working at that time. Ecologic Center’s director said that mines are working during night time when it is difficult to see gypsum dust clouds. By visual examination it can be seen that the soil is covered with a white crust in places. Ephemeral vegetation is not perfect. Saxaul trees, which already dried for about 70%, are also covered with a whitish bloom. Document inspections showed that all eight gypsum mines have ecologic expertise from State Nature Commission of Uzbekistan.

According to article 34 of the Law of Uzbekistan “On entrails”, the use of entrails can be limited, suspended or stopped in case of environmental damage. Control over use of entrails is conducted by state bodies in places, thus Bukhara regional administration.

State Biologic Control called to full halting of activities at the mines, which borders with Ecologic Center and study conditions of issuing ecologic expertise results to mines. Currently, activities of five mines were suspended.

A.N. Abakumov
Specialist of
State Biological Control of the State Nature Committee of Uzbekistan