The head of the farm has been sentenced to two years of restricted freedom by the Kushkupir District Court for cutting down 83 different types of trees and causing damage to three more bushes, which cannot be restored.
The estimated damage to the plant world is UZS 193.8mn (nearly $17,000).
The farm's head was found guilty under Article 198, paragraph 3 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan, which pertains to intentional harm caused to crops, forests, trees, or other plants leading to significant damage.
Earlier in May, the Senate of Uzbekistan approved new laws that impose stricter penalties for illegal tree cutting, uprooting, damage, destruction, or transplantation of trees, shrubs, other plants, and young growth. A fine of up to $300 can be imposed for the offense, with officials facing up to $600. Repeated violations can result in arrest for up to 15 days.
According to the legislation, officials are accountable for project documentation that could potentially destroy trees. In 2021, 4429 trees were left vulnerable on construction sites in Uzbekistan's capital Tashkent, causing 80 of them to wither away. Additionally, in 2022, 103 trees perished as a result of negligence.
During the "Save the Trees" initiative held on April 20, the Minister of Natural Resources addressed new legislative proposals for strengthening penalties in Uzbekistan for cutting down or causing damage to trees. The previous eco-fines were considered ineffective, prompting the need for appropriate amendments to the Code of Administrative Responsibility. The changes would result in more severe financial sanctions.
Previously, penalties were mainly applied to officials and individuals, not business owners. Proposed changes state that commercial companies will also face heavy sanctions. Furthermore, it was said that damage inflicted upon flora and fauna would be considered a serious crime.
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Illegal deforestation continues in Tashkent region despite indefinite moratorium
Over 50 perennial trees cut down in Surkhandarya region
