6 billion soums worth of environmental damage is done in Qashqadaryo

In Qashqadaryo, illegal sand extraction has caused over 6 billion som in environmental damage. This was reported by the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change.

During a raid in the "Sarbozor" neighborhood of Qamashi district, it was discovered that sand was being illegally extracted from the Qashqadaryo River.

In one instance, 1,743.7 cubic meters of sand were extracted, causing 2 billion 615 million 550 thousand som in damage. In another case, 2,465 cubic meters of sand were extracted, resulting in 3 billion 697 million 500 thousand som in damage.

Documents related to both cases have been sent to the regional prosecutor's office to identify the culprits, provide a legal assessment, and take appropriate action.

As of May 1, 2024, an indefinite moratorium has been imposed on the extraction of non-metallic materials from the Chirchiq, Sangzor, Zarafshon, Norin, Qashqadaryo, Surxondaryo, and Sirdaryo riverbeds. During this period, fines for environmental damage caused by illegal sand and gravel extraction have been increased tenfold.

It is also noteworthy that earlier, a criminal case was initiated against those illegally extracting sand and gravel in Samarkand.