Special commission established in Tashkent following toxic dust concerns

Previously, it was reported that the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, signed a decree titled “On Urgent Measures to Improve the Ecological Situation in Tashkent City.” According to this decree, a special commission has been established to implement urgent measures to improve the ecological situation in the capital.

The special commission has been assigned the following responsibilities:

•  Continuous analysis and monitoring of Tashkent’s ecological situation, and forecasting trends in environmental deterioration;
•  Coordinating the actions of state bodies, including law enforcement and regulatory agencies, to stabilize the ecological situation, and ensuring necessary cooperation and information exchange among them;
•  Coordinating research on environmental issues, developing and implementing modern, effective methods to prevent these problems, including studying advanced foreign experience and involving local and international experts and scientists;
•  Allocating financing for concrete measures to mitigate negative environmental impacts in Tashkent, including from the State Target Fund for National Environmental Issues;
•  Organizing public awareness campaigns using mass media (television, radio, internet, social media, mobile operators, etc.) about the current ecological situation, its impact on public health, and preventive measures;
•  Preparing proposals for urgent measures to improve Tashkent’s ecological situation and submitting them to the President of Uzbekistan.

The decree grants the special commission the following powers:

•  Implement restrictions in industry, transport, heating, and other sectors during periods of increased natural dust;

Restrict vehicle movement, including:

•    Temporarily limiting freight transport within Tashkent;
•    Implementing alternate-day travel based on vehicle registration numbers (except for electric vehicles);
•    Designating types of vehicles, streets, and areas subject to temporary movement restrictions;
•  Temporarily or completely suspend operations of greenhouses and other facilities emitting pollutants into the air;
•  Designate industrial enterprises and zones that must be relocated outside Tashkent;
•  Establish permissible emission limits for industrial enterprises and take measures to halt operations of those violating these limits;
•  Introduce restrictions and requirements for construction works, including the installation of dust-reducing equipment;
•  Coordinate state bodies and other organizations, as well as law enforcement and regulatory agencies, to ensure compliance with environmental requirements;
•  Prohibit construction in protected areas along water bodies (rivers, canals, ditches) and exercise other powers to improve the ecological situation.

Decisions and instructions adopted by the special commission within the scope of its assigned responsibilities and powers are binding on all state bodies and organizations, law enforcement and regulatory agencies, and legal and physical entities.