Alisher Kadyrov: The future generation must start believing in trees

In recent days, businessman Murod Nazarov’s proposal to lift the ban on cutting down trees for construction purposes in Tashkent has sparked widespread debate and objections. In particular, Ecoparty deputies strongly opposed lifting the moratorium, noting that many saplings planted under the guise of “replanting” have dried up.

However, Alisher Kadyrov, a deputy of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and head of the *Milliy Tiklanish* Democratic Party faction, expressed a different perspective. He emphasized that “not cutting down trees should not mean they cannot be cut down at all, but rather that they can be cut down if necessary.”

“We spent a year trying to cut down the worm-eaten tree in front of the office, and everyone was fighting about it! You don’t know whether to laugh or cry when you see those who came to cut it down—it’s like they came to hang a person, not cut down a tree.

Of course, we need trees; there’s not enough clean air. But let’s not forget, we save trees for people, not people for trees!

If only the future generation would forget their religion and start believing in trees…

If only we could unite against wasting water, land, energy, food, time, and even our identity, with the same determination we show in protecting trees!” said Kadyrov.

For reference, in Uzbekistan, by presidential decree dated December 31, 2021, “On measures to accelerate greening efforts in the republic and more effectively organize tree protection,” the moratorium on the felling of valuable tree and shrub species outside the state forest fund was extended indefinitely. The decree also increased fines fivefold, doubled the amount of damage calculated for harm to nature, and prohibited the adoption of any government or khokim decisions authorizing the felling or destruction of trees under any circumstances.