Tree cutting incident in Surkhandarya: 61 trees felled

In the Oltinsoy district of the Surkhandarya region, a disheartening incident unfolded as 61 trees were ruthlessly felled to make way for highway expansion and bridge reconstruction. The Regional Ecology Department's information service brought this to light.

Reportedly, the stretch of road passing through the "Mirshodi" neighborhood, linking Oltinsoy and Denov districts, required the removal of perennial trees to accommodate the road's expansion. Additionally, the reconstruction of the "Kora Ariq" bridge demanded a sacrifice of greenery. To proceed with this act, the district administration's responsible personnel verbally sought approval from the Ecology Department of the district.

Upon investigation by the Oltinsoy district ecology department, it was evident that these actions contradicted prevailing legislation. Those responsible for any damage to the trees were cautioned about potential legal consequences.

However, disregarding the warnings, unidentified individuals proceeded to fell 61 valuable trees under the cover of darkness. The victims included 2 maple trees, 54 virgin fir trees, 2 poplar trees, and 4 willow trees.

Responding promptly, the Surkhandarya region's Ecology Department dispatched an operational team to the site, compiling a detailed report on the incident. According to experts' estimates, the illegal felling inflicted a staggering damage of 293 million 700 thousand soums on the local flora.

In response, the Regional Prosecutor's Office has initiated a criminal case pertaining to this egregious act. Investigations are currently underway and are expected to continue until a comprehensive understanding of the incident is achieved.