In a concerted effort to combat air pollution and mitigate its adverse effects on public health and the environment, Uzbekistan has embarked on a journey toward enhancing its monitoring capabilities. Recently, the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change, in collaboration with the Hydrometeorological Service Agency and the "Zamin" Foundation, organized a press tour showcasing the state-of-the-art automatic air pollution control stations across several key cities.
The press tour, conducted on the occasion of World Meteorological Day, aimed to shed light on Uzbekistan's proactive approach to addressing environmental challenges, particularly concerning air quality. Media representatives, bloggers, and journalists were provided with comprehensive insights into the functioning and significance of these automatic stations.
At the forefront of this initiative is the deployment of technology designed to monitor a wide array of pollutants in real time. These pollutants include fine particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, ammonia, and ozone. The stations operate online, continuously transmitting air quality data within a 5-kilometer radius to a centralized server. This data is then compiled into a unified database and made accessible to the public via the https://monitoring.meteo.uz platform.
According to Khurshid Tashpulatov, head of the department at Uzhydromet, the automatic stations represent a leap forward in Uzbekistan's efforts to monitor and manage air pollution effectively.
"The station works online, transmitting air quality data every 10 minutes to the server, facilitating timely interventions and informed decision-making," remarked Tashpulatov.
To enhance the technical and informational capabilities of air pollution monitoring, the Uzhydromet Agency is executing the "Automation of Atmospheric Air Pollution Monitoring" project in collaboration with the "Zamin" International Public Fund.
Initially launched in 2021, the project saw the installation of two state-of-the-art automatic air pollution control stations produced by the German company "Horiba" in Tashkent. Subsequently, in 2023, the project's second phase commenced, extending the operation of automatic stations to cities such as Gulistan, Jizzakh, Samarkand, Urganch, Nukus, and Termiz. In the current year, automatic stations have been deployed in additional cities including Andijan, Namangan, Fergana, Navoi, Bukhara, Karshi, Nurafshan, and Tashkent.
Air pollution in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan's capital, Tashkent, unfortunately, keeps reclaiming its position as the world's most polluted major city, a rank it has held frequently in recent years. The city's air quality measurements exceed the recommended standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO), categorizing its air quality as "very harmful."
Despite this alarming trend, Uzbekistan is actively engaging in global initiatives to combat climate change. Participating in the Global Methane Pledge (GMP), Uzbekistan aims to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030, making it only the second country in Central Asia to join this agreement.
One of many contributors to air pollution is the number of vehicles powered by methane. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, contributes to global warming and the formation of ground-level ozone, a hazardous air pollutant. Its sources range from landfill sites and oil and gas systems to agricultural activities and industrial processes. Despite its significant impact on global warming, methane emissions continue to rise at an alarming rate.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced the implementation of a $100mn electric bus assembly project, naming them vehicles "Silk Road Buses."
The rapid industrialization witnessed in Uzbekistan since 2020 has led to environmental challenges. With over 22,000 new industrial enterprises and approximately 250,000 new houses constructed during this period, the release of over 2 mn tons of pollutants into the atmosphere annually has particularly affected regions such as Tashkent, Almalyk, Nurafshan, Akhangaran, Angren, Bekabad, and Kuvasoy.
To address these pressing issues, a series of comprehensive measures have been outlined by President Mirziyoyev. These include the introduction of a regional ranking system, the installation of automatic air monitoring stations in key cities and industrial districts, and the implementation of modern dust-gas cleaning equipment in major industrial enterprises. Additionally, large construction, energy, and metallurgical companies have committed to creating "green belts" and planting 10 mn trees as part of broader efforts to mitigate the environmental impact of rapid industrialization and urbanization.
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