National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan

For reference: these regions are dominated mainly by desert and semi-desert areas. As a result, sand and dust storms are often formed, and under the influence of desertification processes over the past five years, more than a million hectares of land in the Bukhara and Navoi regions have been degraded. Cases of illegal cutting of plants such as saxaul, Tamarix, and Calligonum, which serve to prevent wind erosion and desertification, also negatively affect the situation.

It is worth noting that the rise of sand and dust particles into the atmosphere and their impact on the environment pose a threat to the health of the local population, flora and fauna, as well as crop yields. In this regard, at the initiative of our President, comprehensive measures were outlined aimed at combating desertification and preventing negative factors affecting the standard of living of the population, and a program was developed to increase green spaces in desert and semi-desert areas of Bukhara and Navoi regions.

Within the framework of the program, together with the prosecutor's office, environmental, forestry, and local government authorities, as well as scientific institutions, it is planned to gradually increase green spaces in areas where severe desertification is observed, and the protection of the existing flora is taken under strict control.

The causes of large-scale illegal cutting of desert vegetation in these regions are currently being studied. Appropriate measures will be taken against officials who have committed environmental violations and failed to protect plants.