During two raids in the Samarkand region, violations causing significant environmental damage were identified. In particular, during a night raid at 2:00 a.m. in the coastal zone of the Karadarya River, which flows through the Akdarya district of the Samarkand region, a group of individuals was caught illegally extracting a sand-gravel mixture. The extracted materials were transported to a stone-crushing workshop near the scene. This activity caused environmental damage amounting to 118 billion sums.

As of now, all documents related to this case have been completed. One excavator and two trucks involved in the incident have been impounded.

In another raid, conducted at 4:30 a.m. on a section of the Zarafshan River within the Taylak district of the Samarkand region, in the territory of the Zarafshan National Nature Park, an illegal sand and gravel extraction operation was uncovered. Seven excavators and 25-30 trucks were used to extract and transport the materials to stone-crushing plants. This activity resulted in damage to nature estimated at 708 billion sums.

Documents for this case have also been prepared, and one excavator along with three trucks have been impounded.

A preliminary investigation revealed that ongoing illegal excavation activities in the Zarafshan National Nature Park have destroyed seven hectares of green spaces.

The collected documents regarding these incidents have been submitted to law enforcement agencies for further action.

For reference: According to the Presidential Resolution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, "On Measures to Streamline the Extraction of Non-Metallic Materials in Reservoirs", an indefinite moratorium on the extraction of non-metallic materials in the riverbeds of Chirchik, Sangzar, Zarafshan, Naryn, Kashkadarya, Surkhandarya, and Syrdarya came into effect on May 1, 2024. Under this decree, the compensation for environmental damage caused by illegal sand and gravel extraction has been increased tenfold.

We remind you! The Ministry of Ecology and its regional departments conduct regular raids to detect and prevent the illegal extraction of sand and gravel. Any violations of the law in this regard will result in strict legal consequences.