Environmental Awareness - The Times Of Central Asia

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EU and FAO Aid Uzbekistan’s Management of Hazardous Chemicals

On 1 May, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan held an inception workshop in Tashkent on technical assistance for the sound management of hazardous chemicals. The joint venture, implemented with financial support from the European Union, is designed to enhance the effectiveness of mechanisms and tools for the management of hazardous chemicals and related waste. A key goal cited by the EU Delegation to Uzbekistan, is to reduce the use of dangerous pesticides in agriculture, through the introduction and promotion of alternative methodologies amongst farmers. Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, stressed that by actively striving to reduce the use of highly hazardous pesticides, Uzbekistan aims to lower their adverse impact on the nation’s health and environment, in addition to making a significant contribution to UN Sustainable Development Goals. Regarding plans to address the issue, he announced, “We need to revise our inventory of contaminated areas of former agricultural airfields and other sites, the last of which, was carried out in the ‘90s when more than 450 former agricultural airfields were identified.” Praising the move, Wim Riepma, Head of Cooperation Section, EU Delegation to Uzbekistan, stated: "Our partnership with the Government of Uzbekistan and FAO exemplifies a collective commitment to protecting the environment and public health, by cleaning up legacy waste, by improving waste management, and by reducing pesticide waste production. Integrated pest management and awareness of health and environmental risks are key to a healthier, environment- friendly and economically viable agriculture sector.” Sherzod Umarov, Assistant FAO Representative in Uzbekistan, likewise emphasized, "The project implementation will enable an improved institutional capacity for sound pesticide management and better data on hazardous wastes in agriculture allowing development of a national waste management strategy. The project also aims to scale up green practices in the agricultural sector leading to reduced risks to farmers and consumers from the use of pesticides and to food production relying on less toxic pesticides and biological protection tools.”

Environmental Awareness Climate Change Uzbekistan China

Chinese Entrepreneurs to Help Address Environmental Issues in Uzbekistan

An Action Plan has been signed to develop cooperation between the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan and the Association of Chinese Entrepreneurs in Uzbekistan. According to the ministry, the Plan covers a wide range of activities, including the construction of a waste incineration plant and the establishment of a high-tech industrial park (eco-industrial park). It also includes the introduction of an online environmental monitoring system for key polluting enterprises and the introduction of wastewater treatment technology. Alongside the Action Plan, ongoing cooperation between the parties will further the exchange of knowledge and best practices in combating desertification and creating green belts. In addition, the Ministry and the Association of Chinese Entrepreneurs reviewed proposals for the development of green technology projects, the recycling of household and solid waste, prevention of air pollution, and eco-tourism. The application of Chinese experience in landscaping desert areas and creating seedling farms was also discussed.

Environmental Awareness

“Eco-Enthusiasts” – Tashkent Hosts Environmental Competition for Students

On April 13, an environmental awareness competition, "Eco-Enthusiasts" was held in Tashkent's Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur Central Ecopark. The event was organized in accordance with the decree of the President, "On measures for effective work of the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change," and was timed to coincide with the Day of Ecological Knowledge, which is celebrated on April 15. Students from twelve higher educational institutions participated in the competition, demonstrating their knowledge and ability in answering a series of questions about the environment. The aim of the competition was to raise awareness of environmental issues, develop environmental culture, and disseminate information about contemporary environmental problems and the state of the environment. According to the results, first place went to the team, "Kimyogarlar," second place went to "Staticfacion," and third place went to the team, "Ecofaollar,” who all received prizes.

Car-Free Tashkent Environmental Awareness Uzbekistan

Tashkent Announces First Car-free Day

Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change has announced that from 24 April, Tashkent will be car-free on the fourth Wednesday of every month. The main goals of the campaign are to promote a healthy lifestyle, protect the environment from harmful gases emitted by cars, reduce the volume of traffic, and attract attention to developments in public transport. On the first car-free day, heads and employees of government agencies will travel to work by public transport; a move that will reduce the number of cars passing through Tashkent by 200 thousand (22-25%), and harmful emissions by an average of 580 tons. By publicizing the example to be set by its own employees, the government aims to encourage other workers and residents to refrain from driving in the city on designated car-free days. Authorities in Tashkent are currently working on the introduction of environmentally-friendly public transport including electric buses and the launch of new metro lines, as well as the creation of bicycle paths.

Uzbekistan Environmental Awareness Tree planting

Uzbekistan to Plant 125 Million Trees

On March 29th, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a government meeting on the expansion of green areas across the country. Aimed at improving the environment, Uzbekistan has initiated a mass tree planting campaign. In addition to 125 million saplings being planted this spring, work has begun on the creation of parks and planting trees in rows of ten along roads. To date, the Ministry of Defense has planted on 100 hectares, and the Ministry of Digital Technologies as well as the Ministry of Mining and Geology have each given over 65 hectares to parkland. The Ministry of Ecology, Environment and Climate Change has been tasked to establish 444 gardens and 160 public parks. To expand green areas in Tashkent, the city planning council has specified that all new construction projects allocate at least 30 percent of their territories for trees. Now in force, the campaign will ensure that green areas are integrated into projects involving the construction of 2.5 thousand multi-storey buildings in the capital. In addition, trees are to be planted on at least one hectare of land in each of the 38 New Uzbekistan residential compounds. Barren land along roads and railways, rivers and canals, and around industrial enterprises and gas stations offers further potential for a greener Uzbekistan.

Environmental Awareness Taskent

Centre for Environmental Diagnostics of Vehicles Opens in Tashkent

On March 5th, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited a new centre for environmental diagnostics of motor vehicles in Tashkent. Environmental issues have become a major concern in Uzbek’s capital city, especially air pollution caused by harmful emissions from traffic. In a measure to stall the sharp increase in air pollution, the centre first assesses the level of harmful substances emitted by motor vehicles and depending on results, attaches color-coded stickers with chips to vehicles’ windshields. Plans are in place to divide the city's territory into several ecological zones. Entry will be limited in accordance with the level of pollutants emitted by vehicles, identified by their red, yellow, or green stickers. Drivers of vehicles that violate the rules will be automatically fined and the resulting revenue, invested in incentives to further improve the environment. The government plans to expand the initiative by installing some 100 automatic air monitoring stations and creating 84 registration and diagnostic centres for vehicles across the country. In a move towards tackling air pollution, the government will also encourage the purchase of greener, electric vehicles by reducing the fee for state license plates.