Uzbekistan fines 516 facilities in Tashkent for violating environmental standards

A compensation payment exceeding 1.23 billion soums was charged to the construction site of the company "N.H.P" in the Almazar district of Tashkent. This amount was assigned for violating established environmental standards.

The inspection of the construction site was initiated based on complaints from residents and revealed a number of violations that contributed to atmospheric air pollution.

Reasons for the compensation charge

One of the identified shortcomings was the absence of wheel washing stations at the exit from the site. As a result, heavy vehicles spread dirt and soil onto adjacent streets over a stretch of 2 to 2.5 kilometers.

Furthermore, the construction site lacked the necessary equipment for dust suppression, and the requirements outlined in the state environmental expertise conclusion were not met. Additionally, the developer failed to provide documentation regarding the storage location of over 87 thousand cubic meters of soil excavated during the excavation of the pit.

In addition to the financial penalty for the discovered violations, the enterprise was issued official orders. These orders oblige the company to eliminate all identified deficiencies and carry out tree planting.

Illegal destruction of 51 trees, including arch and plane trees, was discovered at the construction site of a multi-story residential complex located on Zharkurgan Street in the Yashnabad district of Tashkent. The company was fined 396 million soms for damage to green spaces, and over 5.1 billion soms were ordered to be paid for general environmental violations.

The inspection at this facility was conducted by EcoPolice officers. It was established that the developer failed to meet several requirements set by the state environmental expertise, despite receiving positive conclusions at all stages of the project implementation.

The company had applied for the felling of 50 coniferous trees and one plane tree but did not receive official permission for it. Nevertheless, all the trees were cut down. As compensation for each destroyed tree, the developer is obliged to plant 100 new seedlings. Thus, they are required to plant 5.1 thousand trees, which must be at least three years old, and ensure their care for three years.

The inspection also revealed other serious violations. No wheel washing stations were organized at the exits from the construction site for truck transport. This resulted in dirt and soil spreading along Zharkurgan Street for a distance of 2 to 2.5 kilometers, becoming a source of dust after drying. Furthermore, the developer had not developed any measures to protect the atmospheric air.

It also turned out that the company did not provide documentation confirming the removal of over 126 thousand tons of waste generated after dismantling old buildings, as well as over 368 thousand tons of soil extracted during excavation. Over 12 thousand tons of construction and household waste were found on the construction site itself. Moreover, the enterprise lacked contracts regarding waste removal and wastewater transportation.

The developer violated the landscaping obligations stipulated by the 'Yashil maqon' program, which required the landscaping of at least 25% of the territory, and failed to prepare a plan to achieve carbon neutrality. The company was charged 5.183 billion soms for environmental pollution and improper waste handling, and another 396 million soms for damage to flora. The head of the enterprise was fined 4.4 million soms.

The developer is ordered to eliminate the identified violations, take necessary measures to prevent dust formation, and organize the removal and subsequent recycling of waste. The company must undergo an environmental expertise of the 'Statement on Environmental Impacts' project by December 10.

Citizens can report cases of illegal tree felling, street pollution, and waste accumulation to the National Committee on Ecology by calling 11-57 or via the Telegram bot @ecogovuz_bot. In Tashkent, a recalculation of trees and shrubs outside the state forest fund is also planned to assess their condition and enter relevant data into a special register, paying particular attention to plants that may pose a threat to people or property.

Citizens of Uzbekistan have been warned that burning plant residues, such as crop stalks, fallen leaves, branches, shrubs, and other plant waste on agricultural land, can lead to administrative penalties.

The National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change reported that fines for such violations can reach ten basic calculation units (BCU), equivalent to 4.4 million sums.

The committee emphasized that the burning of plant residues leads to the emission of toxic compounds into the atmosphere, posing a threat to both the environment and human health. These substances include carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), benzo[a]pyrene, dioxins, dibenzofurans, sulfur oxides, and phosgene.

According to specialists, the negative impact extends beyond air quality. The high temperatures generated during burning destroy macro- and microelements in the soil, potentially reducing its fertility.

Furthermore, the committee reminded that legislation prohibits the burning of plant residues on agricultural land. In addition to administrative fines, economic sanctions may be imposed for damage caused by fires on cultivated land, the amount of which is calculated based on the damage to each hectare.

Instead of burning waste, the agency suggests using it for agricultural purposes. Possible alternatives include composting, using it as mulch for seedlings, or applying it as livestock feed.

The Ecological Committee strongly urged citizens to comply with environmental protection laws and refrain from burning plant material in fields.