At the fifty-ninth plenary session of the Senate, the Law "On Introducing Amendments and Additions Aimed at Strengthening the Protection of the Animal and Plant World to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan" was considered. The Senate press service reports this.
Today, due to illegal hunting and poaching, the number of animal and plant species is gradually decreasing. The leniency of the penalty measures in our current legislation is very convenient for poachers. Existing legislation envisages introducing amendments and additions to 2 codes and 2 laws.
In particular, amendments and additions aimed at strengthening liability for violating the order of using the animal or plant world are being introduced into the Criminal Code.
Specifically, a fine ranging from 400 to 600 times the basic calculation amount or deprivation of certain rights, a 3 to 5 year restriction of freedom or imprisonment is being set for hunting or fishing using electric current, explosives, chemical substances, or biological preparations. In aggravating circumstances, deprivation of certain rights is also being introduced as an additional punishment.
Also, in the Code of Administrative Responsibility, the amount of fines for violating the rules of hunting and fishing, as well as other types of using wildlife, is being doubled.
Liability is being assigned for deliberately damaging, trampling, or destroying trees, bushes, or other plants during construction, rebuilding, reconstructing, or adding buildings and structures in one's territory, as well as during major repairs, with fines ranging from 35 to 50 times the basic calculation amount for citizens, and from 60 to 75 times the basic calculation amount for officials.
The liability for violating hunting and fishing rules, as well as other regulations on wildlife use, is being doubled.
Furthermore, obstructing the legal activities of the State Ecology Inspector, failing to comply with their instructions, leads to increased liability, with fines for citizens ranging from 5 to 10 times the basic calculation amount, and for officials from 20 to 30 times the basic calculation amount.
The norms of the laws "On the Protection and Use of the Animal World" and "On Hunting and Game Management" are being harmonized, addressing legal gaps related to hunting weapons, including fishing weapons.
As noted, the adoption of the Law contributes to the conservation of biological resources by preventing illegal hunting, preventing the destruction of trees and shrubs, enhancing the efficiency of the state environmental control institution, ensuring ecological stability in our country, and guaranteeing protection of natural resources.
At the end of the discussion, the Law was approved by the senators.
