Trees in Tashkent are “given a passport”

As part of the nationwide "Green Space" project, an experimental initiative has been launched to provide trees in Tashkent with a digital passport. The Presidential Decree, issued on November 23, outlines measures to enhance the Republic's greenery levels and ensure environmental stability through the systematic implementation of the "Green Space" project.

According to the decree, the tree passporting process in Tashkent will unfold in the following stages:

•    First stage (until March 1, 2024): Existing trees will be entirely surveyed and documented, excluding those in the vicinity of single-family houses.
•    Second stage (until November 1, 2024): A comprehensive database capturing the type, age, height, condition, and location coordinates of surveyed trees will be established.
•    Third stage (until December 31, 2024): Based on the database, a digital passport will be created for each tree on the "Green Space" electronic platform, accompanied by a unique ID number.

The outcome of this experiment will determine the potential expansion of the tree passporting system to other regions of the republic.

Additionally, the decree has endorsed a national program for the sustainable development of the Aral Bay region and the widespread integration of innovations and green technologies from 2024 to 2028.

Starting March 1, 2024:

•    Newly constructed buildings and structures: Those exceeding 12 meters in height or having a total area exceeding 500 square meters must allocate at least 25% of adjacent land to green areas. Failure to comply will result in non-acceptance by the admissions committee.

The decree also mandates that industrial enterprises falling under the I and II categories of environmental impact must establish "green belts" and implement greening measures based on state environmental expertise conclusions.

Moreover, the decree establishes:

•    Laboratory of Plant and Animal Gene Fund Issues: Housed at the Research Institute of Environmental and Nature Protection Technologies within the Central Asian University of Environmental and Climate Change Studies (Green University).
•    In-vitro laboratory and its regional divisions: Integrated into the system of the Research Institute of Forestry under the university.
•    State institution "Forest Seed Center" and its regional divisions: Spread across the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Fergana, Bukhara, Samarkand, and Kashkadarya regions.
•    Service against tree diseases and pests: Administered without establishing a separate legal entity within the "Green Zone" state unitary enterprise.