Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- News spread on social networks about the cutting down of a large number of trees and shrubs in Bukhara and Surkhandarya regions in connection with construction work.

On 27 July, at a press conference held in Tashkent, the leadership of the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change commented on these high-profile issues.

On 6 July 2023, the khokimiyat of Bukhara region sent for approval to the Ministry of Ecology a project for the reconstruction of a section of the A-380 highway “Guzor-Bukhara-Nukus-Beineu”, 150-228 km long, in which there was a need to transplant 31,371 trees and shrubs to empty areas in nearby areas.

In addition, on 7 July 2023, the khokimiyat of Surkhandarya region requested practical assistance in replanting 21,803 trees on sections of the 4P-100 Manguzor-Jarkurgan-Bandikhon-Oltinsoy-Denov highways, with a length of 128-174 and 4P-105 Darband- Boysun-Elbayon”, with a length of 5-70 km, in connection with the reconstruction.

In accordance with the Protocol of the Government Commission No. 58 from 21 July  2023, signed by Deputy Prime Minister J.A. Khodjaev, the Ministry of Ecology was instructed to give a competent opinion within a week and submit proposals to the Government Commission on the transfer of these trees without causing damage to the environment.

Considering that the information referring to the Protocol of the Government Commission in a number of publications is not correct. Referring directly to the Protocol of the Government Commission No. 58 from 21 July 2023 (which is mentioned by the journalists and bloggers themselves), we especially note that this document did not contain a single wording about the “cutting down” of trees, as well as instructions to take any actions with green spaces in such a hot season.

It should be noted that the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change gave an unequivocal negative opinion on these issues, and also drew the attention of the initiators of these projects to the fact that violations related to the destruction or damage of flora objects belong to the category of serious crimes, as well as the significant role of these trees and shrubs in reducing the impact of dust and sand storms observed throughout the country.

After the official responses sent to the khokimiyats, representatives of a construction company from Bukhara region visited the Ministry and reported on the change in the project without causing harm to trees and shrubs.

It should be noted that earlier, at the initiative of the Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, Aziz Abdukhakimov, a new mechanism for considering such requests was introduced by organizing "public hearings" on the issue of cutting down or replanting trees, in which both interested media and public activists take part. as well as local residents.

In addition, it should be noted that such requests are not uncommon during the consideration of various investment projects. Naturally, the project initiators make their proposals based on their interest, and in turn, the Ministry of Ecology issues its opinion based on the interests of protecting the environment and preserving the natural balance.