On January 18, the nationwide Yuksalish movement has put forth a set of 10 priority measures to address the critical issue of air pollution in Uzbekistan. These measures, derived from a survey of 34 environmental experts, including representatives from the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change, the State Committee for Geology, researchers, activists, and environmental journalists, aim to tackle the root causes of air pollution and raise awareness among the public.
Key Measures Proposed by Experts:
Large-Scale Afforestation: Experts emphasize the urgent need for extensive tree planting, with 80.7% supporting the idea. This initiative involves planting deciduous trees and grasses like alfalfa across available areas to combat dust pollution. Proper monitoring, record-keeping, and stricter penalties for unauthorized tree cutting are crucial aspects of this measure.
Moratorium on New Construction: A significant majority (74.4%) recommends implementing a moratorium on new construction projects until city master plans, especially for high-rise buildings and infill development, are approved. Construction permits should adhere to "green" standards to ensure environmental sustainability.
Comprehensive Pollution Monitoring: To combat air pollution effectively, 70.1% of experts stress the importance of understanding and documenting all pollution sources. This involves prioritized monitoring of potential pollution sources, such as workshops, factories, and greenhouses. An operational monitoring group, including representatives from relevant departments and NGOs, would be responsible for monitoring and reporting.
Public Awareness Campaign: A large-scale information campaign, supported by 57.3% of respondents, is proposed to inform the public about air pollution and recommended preventive measures. The campaign should be systematic, regular, and based on objective data.
Vehicle Inspection: A majority (53%) suggests conducting unscheduled technical inspections of vehicles, including agricultural machinery. This initiative aims to ensure the proper functioning of equipment and proposes a ban on operating faulty machinery.
Air Purification Systems: Half of the experts (50.6%) recommend installing air purification systems in socially significant facilities such as schools, kindergartens, and hospitals.
Indoor Air Quality Improvement: Employers are urged (42.1%) to take immediate measures to improve indoor air quality in buildings and offices.
Increased Humidity Measures: A quarter of respondents (25%) advocates for increasing the number of fountains using groundwater to enhance humidity as a temporary measure.
Use of Masks and Respirators: As a preventive measure, 19.3% of experts support the use of masks and respirators on days with high pollution levels.
Fire Prevention Measures: Strengthening preventive fire measures in agriculture and forestry is recommended by 18% of experts to mitigate the release of toxic substances during fires.
Comprehensive Solutions for Sustainable Impact
Earlier Daryo reported that Uzbekistan, notably Tashkent, is facing a severe air quality crisis, ranking among the top three most polluted cities globally. On January 11, the Air Quality Index (AQI) surpassed 190, raising significant worries about the potential adverse effects on the cognitive functions of the local population.
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