Uzbekistan enacted a law to impose stricter administrative penalties for illegal felling, uprooting, or harm to trees and other plants. The law, signed by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, mandates that citizens committing these offences will be fined 25 to 50 reference calculation value (RCV), equivalent to UZS 8.5 mn ($680) to UZS 17 mn ($1,350), a significant increase from the previous range of 5 to 10 RCV.
The law also stipulates an increase in fines for officials involved in these offences, from 50 to 70 RCV, or UZS 17 mn ($1,350) to UZS 23.8 mn ($1,900). Additionally, a new fine was introduced for the development of project documentation that results in the destruction or damage of valuable tree species, ranging from 50 to 75 RCV ($1,750 to $2,000).
Offenders causing damage to trees and shrubs are now required to replant similar species and maintain them for three years, ensuring a restorative approach to environmental damage.
In a related development, President Mirziyoyev signed a decree to initiate the passportisation of trees in Tashkent as an experimental measure. The process will be carried out in three stages, starting with an inventory of trees in Tashkent by early March next year. Following the inspection, a database will be established by November 1. By the end of December next year, each tree will be issued a passport with an ID number. The initiative is expected to be implemented in other regions of Uzbekistan as well.
The law also mandates that at least 25% of the land surrounding high-rise or large buildings must be planted with greenery. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in the project not being approved by the acceptance commission. Furthermore, the environmental expertise conclusions for projects of industrial enterprises of categories I and II will now include the requirement to create “green belts”.
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