The president rejects proposed law on illegal tree cutting

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev rejected the proposed law aimed at strengthening the penalties for illegal tree cutting. Alisher Kadyrov, the deputy speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and chairman of the "Milliy Tiklanish" party, made this announcement.

It has been reported that Shavkat Mirziyoyev rejected the law that had been under discussion in the Oliy Majlis Senate since spring of this year. The law aimed to increase the fine for illegal tree cutting to $1,000.

"While the United States enforces fines of up to $100,000 for illegal tree cutting, France imposes fines of $150,000, and Saudi Arabia imposes fines of up to $8 million. Our existing law calls for a fine of up to $1,000 for this offense, which the president has rejected. This objection is valid, and we will be revisiting the law," Kadyrov stated.

It is worth recalling that the "Amendments and Additions to the Code of Administrative Responsibility of the Republic of Uzbekistan" were discussed during the fortieth plenary session of the Senate held on May 3 of this year.

Under the proposed amendments, citizens found guilty of illegal cutting, uprooting, damaging, destroying, or transplanting of trees, bushes, other plants, and young plants would be subject to fines ranging from 10 to 15 times the BHM (previously, the range was 5 to 10 times). Additionally, officials and individuals would face fines ranging from 15 to 20 times (an increase from the previous range of 10 to 15 times).