Trees in Uzbekistan received temporary protection.

Trees in Uzbekistan received temporary protection. The Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On approval of the Concept of environmental protection of the Republic of Uzbekistan until 2030” was signed. Paragraph 4 of this decree states: To approve the proposals of the State Committee for Ecology, the Ecological Party of Uzbekistan and the public to introduce a moratorium on the cutting down of valuable species of trees and shrubs not included in the state forest fund (hereinafter referred to as the moratorium). In accordance with the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of October 20, 2014 No. 290, valuable tree species include: walnut, oak, Lankaran acacia, horse chestnut, plane tree, sophora, ash, tulip tree, etc. a) the moratorium is valid from November 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020; b) during the period of the moratorium, the authorized state authorities are prohibited from issuing permits for cutting down valuable species of trees and shrubs that are not included in the state forest fund, except for the cases established in this paragraph; c) the moratorium does not apply to: sanitary pruning and felling of trees and shrubs damaged as a result of the influence of natural factors or pests, plant diseases, drying out or dried up, as well as threatening the safety of human life and health, property of legal entities and individuals; cutting down trees and shrubs (poplar and other fast-growing species, mulberry plantations, fruit trees and shrubs) grown for timber and fruits; cutting down trees and shrubs grown on plantations and/or owned by a legal entity or individual. Ministries and departments, as well as local economic management bodies and executive authorities, must strictly ensure the preservation of trees and shrubs, including through the practice of replanting them, at the stage of selecting and allocating land plots for construction and designing the construction of facilities, as well as during the creation of engineering and communication infrastructure (electricity, gas and water supply, sewerage, railways and roads, and others).