Two major Specially Protected Natural Areas (SPNAs) are located in the Bukhara and Khorezm regions of the Republic of Uzbekistan: the Kyzylkum State Reserve and the Khorezm National Nature Park. These territories hold immense ecological significance as they are situated along the Amu Darya River and serve as a refuge for taghiga forests.
Taghiga forests are considered a unique and critically important ecosystem for the biodiversity and ecological balance of Central Asia. They provide habitat for numerous rare plant and animal species, functioning as natural filters that purify water and regulate the microclimate in arid regions.
Due to their importance, both SPNAs have become central subjects of a media expedition organized under the 'Aral Sea Wetlands' project. This project is implemented with the participation of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the United Nations Development Programme, and the Global Environment Facility.
The Kyzylkum State Reserve was established in 1971 and covers an extensive area of 10,311 hectares. It is divided into two separate sections with different climatic conditions: sandy-desert and taghiga, with the latter occupying only about a third of the total area. The reserve hosts approximately 175 plant species and 360 animal species, many of which are included in the Red Book of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the IUCN Red List. The Bukhara deer has become the symbol of the reserve, whose population has recovered after near-total extinction.
The director of the Kyzylkum Reserve, Mirzagali Kilichev, who has held this position for 26 years, emphasizes that the key task is creating optimal conditions for the reproduction of local animals. Special attention is paid to the Bukhara deer, a threatened red-listed species. Thanks to these efforts, the Bukhara deer population has grown from an initial 8 individuals to 300 today.
The Khorezm National Nature Park is a younger entity, having been created in 2019 by a decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan. Its territory is almost twice as large as the Kyzylkum Reserve, covering 21,687 hectares, which accounts for the richness of its flora and fauna. In addition to ecosystem preservation, ecotourism is actively developing in the park, offering three unique routes.
Despite the high ecological value of both the Kyzylkum Reserve and the Khorezm National Park, their taghiga forests face serious problems common to many SPNAs in Uzbekistan. The main threat is related to the uneven distribution of water, which is primarily directed towards agricultural needs. As a result, over the last century, the number of taghiga forests in Central Asia has decreased by 90%, posing a threat of severe climate change and damage to the region's biodiversity.
Mirzagali Kilichev notes that water issues manifest differently in the Kyzylkum Reserve. In summer, water shortages lead to frequent forest fires, which harm the taghiga forests and threaten wildlife. In late spring, the situation is reversed: due to the forests' location near the riverbank, floods occur in May, coinciding with the deer breeding season. This forces the deer into desert areas where they are vulnerable to predators such as jackals and reed cats, negatively affecting their reproduction.
There is hope that the 'Aral Sea Wetlands' project will help draw public and governmental attention to these issues. Support for this project, including providing equipment and tools to SPNA staff, could help prevent long-term negative consequences for the flora, fauna, and climate of Uzbekistan as a whole.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a set of proposals aimed at combating desertification, developing the economy in desert zones, and implementing the principles of creating a 'green city' in Uzbekistan.
Currently, climate change, water resource depletion, and land degradation are critical environmental problems for the entire Central Asian region, directly affecting food security and agriculture. Approximately 80% of Uzbekistan's territory consists of desert or semi-desert areas.
Salinization of soils, sand drifts, and strong dust storms pose a serious threat to the Karakalpakstan, Bukhara, Navoi, Khorezm, as well as parts of Kashkadarya, Surkhandarya, and Jizzakh regions. The situation has been exacerbated by the drying up of the Aral Sea, which has transformed into the Aralkum Desert.
Systematic planting of saxaul and other resilient species continues in the Aral Sea region. Over the past years, more than 2 million hectares of new forest plantations have been formed on the dried seabed. The 'Yashil Makon' project has demonstrated significant growth in greening across the country: from 8% in 2020 to 14.3% by 2025, thanks to the planting of over one billion seedlings.
The new phase of the strategy for the period 2026–2030 includes the creation and restoration of forests over an area of 1.27 million hectares, as well as the establishment of 16 thousand hectares of protective forest plantations in mountainous, foothill, and desert areas. Specifically, the planting of green cover is planned for 10 thousand hectares in the Surkhandarya region, and a 'green wall' of 84 kilometers will appear in the border areas of the Syrdarya region.
The head of state emphasized that desert lands should be viewed not only as an environmental problem but also as a potential source of economic growth. The 'desert economy' concept includes developing sustainable income sources on saline lands, cultivating halophytes, expanding livestock farming and ecotourism, and developing seed production of drought-resistant crops.
Specialized nurseries will be opened in Karakalpakstan, and pistachio plantations will be expanded in Babatag. Financing these measures will be provided by the regional seed bank and the attraction of private international investment.
The issue of strengthening environmental interaction in Central Asia was raised. Since land degradation does not recognize national borders, it was proposed to intensify the work of the Regional Scientific Research Center for Combating Desertification, increase the number of practical projects under the 'Green Shield' program, and jointly develop a strategy until 2040.
A key element of the presentation was the 'Green Samarkand' model. This metropolis, possessing historical significance and developed infrastructure, is slated to be transformed into a model of an ecologically sustainable and climate-adapted 'green city' of Central Asia.
By 2030, strict environmental goals are set for Samarkand: preventing the emission of 51.2 thousand tons of pollutants, reducing the concentration of hazardous particles PM2.5 and PM10 by 50% through the installation of filters on production facilities, reducing construction dust by 80%, and reducing harmful transport emissions by 50%. Additionally, the volume of waste in landfills must be halved, and the share of green areas must reach an average of 30%.
To monitor these large-scale processes, the 'Yashil Samarkand' project office is being established with the support of the regional hokimiyat and the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change. A special ecological urban planning regime is being introduced in the city, obligating all new and reconstructed buildings to comply with 'green building' requirements, including the use of energy- and water-saving technologies.
Samarkand's transport policy includes purchasing 50 modern electric buses, installing 150 intelligent traffic lights, and fully transitioning all public transport and taxis to electric traction by 2030. The implementation of a 'Park & Ride' system and the gradual closure of the city center to private vehicles in favor of pedestrians and green spaces are planned.
To improve the microclimate in Samarkand, the creation of at least four artificial lakes, the construction of ten new fountains, and the restoration of 319 kilometers of irrigation networks are planned. Around the city, along the New Outer Ring Road, an extensive 'green belt' spanning 102.7 kilometers and covering 3532 hectares will be formed to provide protection against heat and dust.
In the field of urban planning, the construction of the ultra-modern 'Green City Samarkand' district, covering 300 hectares, is planned, where all infrastructure will meet high international ecological standards. Industrial enterprises will transition to digital monitoring and the 'Zero Visible Emission' concept, and eight largest factories of Hazard Categories I and II will be moved outside the city limits. The waste management system will be restructured according to the 'Zero Waste Samarkand' principle using smart photo- and video surveillance systems.
As part of the climate policy, the city will receive the 'Carbon Neutral Samarkand' roadmap and its own financial platform for climate projects, named the 'Green Samarkand Climate Finance Facility'. Shavkat Mirziyoyev approved all proposed measures, stating that their implementation will form the basis for transforming Samarkand into a leading regional center for green investments and innovation, and instructed responsible persons to begin practical work immediately.
Uzbekistan is aiming to occupy a significant position in the growing market of pilgrimage tourism in Central Asia. The republic possesses a unique advantage in the form of rich spiritual heritage, as prominent Islamic scholars and thinkers lived on its territory. The cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, Tashkent, and Termez have long been pilgrimage destinations for religious travelers. Furthermore, Uzbekistan's geographical location in the center of Central Asia and developed air connections make it a convenient transit hub for pilgrims from neighboring countries such as Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Islamiddin Sirojiddinov, a specialist in diversification management at the Tourism Committee, noted that the combination of spiritual heritage and developed infrastructure opens up good opportunities for the development of this sector. The Umrah Plus concept is being implemented, which allows pilgrims traveling for Umrah to include visits to Uzbek cities before or after their trip to Saudi Arabia.
