The Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of Uzbekistan has issued a statement addressing a proposal by entrepreneur Murod Nazarov to lift the moratorium on tree felling.
The Ministry has reviewed the proposal made by entrepreneur Murod Nazarov during an open dialogue at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which suggested replacing the tree felling moratorium with compensatory plantings and the creation of a “tree bank.”
The Ministry notes that Uzbekistan, being a landlocked country, lacks access to oceans – vital natural sources of oxygen and carbon dioxide absorption – and is over 60% covered by deserts and semi-deserts, making it particularly vulnerable to climate change.
“It is crucial to remember the factor of climate change in the region. The rate of warming in Central Asia is twice the global average. Over the past 30 years, the temperature in the region has increased by 1.5°C, compared to the global average of 0.7°C. In such conditions, green spaces become a vital element of the ecological balance, and the moratorium on tree felling is aimed at preserving this balance,” the statement reads.
The Ministry cited the experience of developed countries, which demonstrates that strict restrictions on tree felling are an effective tool for environmental protection and sustainable urban development.
For example, in Germany, legislation protects not only forests but also urban greenery. Illegal felling, especially in public areas, can result in a fine of up to €50,000 per tree. Compensatory measures are subject to mandatory monitoring.
In the United Kingdom, violating a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) can lead to a fine of up to £20,000 in a magistrates’ court or an unlimited fine and imprisonment in a crown court. In 2023, the perpetrator who destroyed the famous Sycamore Gap tree received a prison sentence of more than four years.
In Kazakhstan, Article 340 of the Criminal Code provides for a fine of up to 160 Monthly Calculation Index (approximately $1,181 USD) or arrest for up to 40 days, with possible confiscation of property for illegal tree felling. In the Russian Federation, Article 260 of the Criminal Code provides for a fine of up to 1 million rubles (approximately $12,770 USD) or imprisonment for up to 4 years for felling in significant quantities. Confiscation of equipment and compensation for damages are also possible.
These examples demonstrate that even in countries with more favorable climates, strict measures are in place to protect green spaces.
For comparison, Article 79 of the Code of Administrative Responsibility of Uzbekistan provides for a fine of 25 to 50 Basic Calculation Values (approximately $738-$1470 USD) for citizens and 50 to 75 for officials (approximately $1470-$2210 USD). In this regard, the preservation and strengthening of the moratorium is seen as a crucial measure for ecological sustainability in the face of growing climatic pressure, according to the country’s ecologists.
The Ministry also notes that the proposed mechanism of compensatory plantings and a “tree bank” cannot replace the current moratorium for the following reasons:
The Ministry believes that the attempt to revise the moratorium is particularly regrettable at a time when companies are striving to implement ESG principles in their operations, and when the country has declared 2025 as the year of “Environmental Protection and the ‘Green’ Economy.”
“In his speech, Mr. Nazarov mentioned the use of various ‘methods’ of cutting down trees at any cost. In this regard, the Ministry believes that law enforcement agencies should conduct a thorough review of his approaches to tree felling. We hope that the results of this study will provide relevant conclusions about his past activities,” the statement notes.
The Ministry also expressed its readiness for constructive dialogue, but not for a revision of the fundamental principles of state environmental policy.