Unlawful Uprooting of Approximately Ten Trees at Bukhara Mosque Premises

Photos depicting the felling of multiple trees at a construction site in Bukhara have been widely circulated on social media.  The Information Service of the Bukhara Regional Office of the Ministry of Natural Resources has provided information regarding this concerning incident.

According to the explanation provided, the trees were cut down to make way for the construction of a restroom near the "Pridastgir" mosque in Bukhara.  It was discovered that eight fruit trees and one ornamental tree were unlawfully removed from the construction site, resulting in an estimated environmental damage of 8.5 million sums.

In response to this situation, a report was filed under Article 79, Part 1 of the Code of Administrative Responsibility of the Republic of Uzbekistan against the responsible mosque employee.  A fine of 1,650,000 soms was imposed as a consequence.

Furthermore, as a compensatory measure, the chief imam of the mosque is now obligated to plant and care for ornamental tree saplings suitable for the local climatic conditions in place of the felled trees.

It is worth mentioning that near the "Andarkhan" border post in the Beshariq District of the Fergana Region, three decorative willow trees and nine spruce trees were also unlawfully uprooted by unidentified individuals.

For general awareness, it should be noted that fines for illegal cutting, felling, damage, destruction, or transplantation of trees, shrubs, and other plants have been increased in Uzbekistan.  During the fortieth plenary session of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis on the 3rd of May, amendments were made to the Code of Administrative Responsibility, defining responsibility for illegal tree cutting or logging across four articles. These changes aim to establish consistent penalties for similar administrative offenses, addressing the previous discrepancies and disparities among the existing articles.