Uzbekistan allocates 100 billion soums for “Green Space” program

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced that an additional 100 billion soums will be allocated for the "Green Space" program in Uzbekistan next year. The announcement was made during a video selector meeting on October 21, focusing on the progress of the nationwide project and future priorities.

The funding will cover a range of initiatives, including three-year tree maintenance, disease protection, and irrigation. These costs will be integrated into the investment program to ensure sustainable management.

As part of the initiative, two pilot projects will be launched to enhance irrigation. In 27 districts, a single well will be allowed to be dug to support irrigation systems, while 10 geo-membranes will be installed in the mountains of Gallaorol district to collect snow and rainwater for tree irrigation. In the spring, trees will be planted on 500 hectares of mountain and hillside slopes in 14 districts, using the terrace method for efficient water management.

Additionally, regional governments have been tasked with allocating at least one hectare of land for creating green parks under the "My Garden" project and half a hectare for green public parks. These areas will be listed on the "Open Budget" portal before the planting season, displaying recommended tree types and pricing. A mobile application will also be introduced to send alerts to those neglecting their responsibilities in maintaining green areas.

Furthermore, mayors have been instructed to equip all improvement departments with 20 mini-irrigation machines to support the upkeep of the newly planted areas.

Previously, President Mirziyoyev criticized 28 districts for failing to meet tree-planting targets during the spring season, mainly due to poor planning that did not consider water availability and climatic conditions. Despite efforts, many trees did not survive because they were planted in unsuitable areas. To date, 322,000 saplings have been planted in Tashkent city, 96,000 in Samarkand, 67,000 in Tashkent region, 61,000 in Karakalpakstan, 24,000 in Bukhara, and 15,000 in Navoi, often without adequate irrigation.