Uzbekistan’s Ecological Party (Ecoparty) has firmly opposed a proposal by businessman and property developer Murod Nazarov to lift the moratorium on tree cutting during construction works in Tashkent, warning that doing so could trigger severe environmental consequences.
Nazarov voiced his opinion on July 17 during a government meeting on the construction sector, suggesting that current restrictions on tree removal are hampering development. His remarks drew swift criticism from the Ecoparty, which defended the moratorium as a vital measure for protecting the environment amid worsening climate conditions.
“The moratorium wasn’t imposed without reason — without it, we would be facing an ecological catastrophe,” the party stated.
The Ecoparty emphasized that the moratorium, in place since 2021, has prevented the destruction of over 98% of trees targeted for removal, despite occasional instances of illegal logging. In the first half of 2025 alone, authorities rejected 3,235 applications for tree felling, sparing 453,238 trees, including over 86,000 of valuable species.
Environmental advocates stress the growing importance of mature trees in the face of global warming and water scarcity. Trees help regulate air quality, prevent erosion, reduce noise pollution, and release oxygen — essential benefits often lost when replaced with poorly managed replanting efforts.
“Most of the saplings planted under so-called ‘replanting’ programs are wilting and dying. This harms nature more than it helps,” the party said.
The Ecoparty argued that viewing trees as obstacles to development goes against both environmental science and national legislation. The party labeled such proposals as “aggression against nature” and called for stronger legal protections, including formally designating trees under the moratorium as untouchable during renovations or construction.
Citing international best practices, the party urged Uzbekistan to enhance its laws to more effectively punish illegal logging. From 2023 through May 2025, authorities carried out over 3,500 environmental raids and issued UZS 115bn ($9mn) in administrative fines. Legal actions for environmental damage amounted to UZS 32bn ($2.5mn), with UZS 66bn ($5.2mn) recovered so far.
Ecoparty deputies pledged to push forward legislative initiatives aimed at strengthening environmental safeguards.
“We are categorically opposed to such ruthless attitudes towards nature. Proposals like these, made without deep analysis, risk eroding public concern for the environment and endanger ecological stability,” the statement read.
According to environmental data, 500,000 mature trees generate between 50,000 to 60,000 tons of oxygen annually — enough to support the respiratory needs of up to 80,000 people.
The party reiterated its position that any development or renovation must be carried out with environmental interests in mind — not at their expense.
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