Broad powers granted to commission led by Abduhakimov

A special commission has been established to implement urgent measures to improve the environmental situation in Tashkent, following a decree signed yesterday, 24 November, by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev titled “On Urgent Measures to Improve the Environmental Situation in Tashkent City.”

The commission is headed by Aziz Abduhakimov, Presidential Adviser on Environmental Issues and Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change.

The special commission has been granted the following powers:

•  Introduce restrictions on industrial enterprises, transport, heating supply, and other sectors during periods of increased natural dust levels.
•  Limit the movement of vehicles, including:
  •    Temporarily restricting the movement of cargo transport vehicles in Tashkent city.
  •    Introducing alternating traffic restrictions based on vehicle registration numbers, with exemptions for electric vehicles.
  •    Designating the types of vehicles, streets, and other areas where traffic will be temporarily restricted.
•  Temporarily or fully halt operations of greenhouses and other facilities that emit pollutants affecting air quality.
•  Identify industrial enterprises and industrial zones that must be relocated outside Tashkent city.
•  Set permitted levels of industrial waste for enterprises and take prescribed measures to suspend the activities of companies that violate these requirements.
•  Impose restrictions on construction works and enforce relevant requirements, including installing dust control equipment and other measures during construction.
•  Coordinate the activities of state agencies, organizations, and law enforcement authorities to ensure compliance with environmental requirements.
•  Prohibit construction in water protection zones along rivers, canals, and irrigation channels, and exercise other powers related to improving the environmental situation.

The special commission’s composition includes the following members: