The Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Aziz Abduhakimov, announced at the Samarkand International Climate Forum that the Ministry and the Forestry Agency under its jurisdiction have launched the “Sustainable Landscape Restoration in Uzbekistan” project in collaboration with the World Bank.
This project is part of a regional program being implemented in five Central Asian countries to assist in the restoration of forests and degraded lands.
The project, conducted in cooperation with the World Bank, assists in achieving the goals set out in the concept for the development of the Uzbekistan forestry system by 2030. This includes issues of increasing forest land to 6.1 million hectares by the end of this decade. The project will enhance the sustainability of local landscapes and the productivity of food systems by planting trees and shrubs on degraded lands, as well as improving living conditions, developing infrastructure, and creating jobs. Additionally, the project supports small and medium-sized businesses through more efficient use of natural resources and promotes ecotourism in protected natural areas.
The project strengthens the stability of landscapes in various regions of the country and forest restoration, as well as enhances cooperation in the restoration of transboundary natural areas between Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries. Project activities will be carried out in six regions of our country — Jizzakh, Kashkadarya, Namangan, Samarkand, Surkhandarya, and Sirdarya provinces.
Furthermore, a Darakchi.uz correspondent questioned the minister about who is responsible for caring for the trees after they have been planted and what the fate of these plantations will be, given that millions are being spent on this project.
In response, it was mentioned that the funds would be used not only for planting and care but that the Forestry Agency under the Ministry of Ecology is responsible for planting and caring for the trees.
