Forest ranger penalized for cutting down junipers in Kashkadarya

A total of 104 Zarafshan junipers were illegally cut down in the Duob forest department area of Dehkanabad district, Kashkadarya region. This was reported by the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change.

The investigation revealed that citizen K.M. had cut down three Zarafshan junipers at the 4th border of the Duob forest department, damaging them to the point of no regrowth. For this, K.M. was fined 51 million 810 thousand sums for causing environmental harm. Additionally, Z.B., the head of the Duob forest department, and H.E., the 4th border forest ranger, were administratively fined for neglecting their duties.

Further investigation uncovered that 38 Zarafshan spruce trees were cut by unknown individuals from the base and side branches. Forest guard H.E. was again fined 94 million 387 thousand 500 sums for his failure to act on this incident.

Additionally, six Zarafshan fir trees were illegally felled in the 3rd border area of the Duob Forest Department, leading to further administrative action against regional forest guard R.B.

Moreover, citizen H.A. was found to have cut eight Zarafshan fir trees, causing damage amounting to 25 million 387 thousand 500 sums. An administrative fine was applied, and the case was sent to the Guzor inter-district court for civil action.

Unknown individuals also illegally cut 49 Zarafshan junipers, causing 176 million 587 thousand 500 sums of damage. Documents have been forwarded to the Dehkanabad district prosecutor’s office for further action.

"In total, 104 Zarafshan junipers were either cut or severely damaged in the Duob forest department area. Authorities are considering appropriate measures against those responsible for these actions," the report stated.

It is worth noting that earlier, a citizen in the Dustlik district of Jizzakh region was found guilty of cutting 13 mulberry trees, causing damage amounting to 738 million 750 thousand sums.