News about ecology: events, facts and developments on tafs uz.
34 stories
Off the coast of Damp in northern Germany, enthusiasts are hand-planting seagrass shoots: scientists estimate that about 60% of the Baltic's meadows have disappeared. DW explains how the Seagrass Conservation, ZosteraTec and GEOMAR projects work and why restoration is verified over years.
Otabek YusupovThe Ecology Committee reported that on October 28, air quality in Tashkent is expected to be at the 'red' level according to the international AQI index. Sensitive groups are advised not to go outside in the evening and at night, and to wear a mask when going out.
Otabek YusupovBy a presidential decree, a Center for a Specialized Atmospheric Laboratory has been established under the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change. Air samples are being collected from all districts of Tashkent to identify pollution sources; the experience is planned to be extended to the entire republic.
Javlon TursunovA festival held at the initiative of KT&G took place at the Tashkent branch of Puchon University in coordination with the Ministry of Culture of Uzbekistan. The central event was the signing of a memorandum between the corporation, the university, and the ministry on cooperation in the field of environmental culture and education.
Otabek YusupovAuthorities attribute the deterioration of air quality in Tashkent to large dust masses detected by satellites on October 25–26 and precipitation levels nearly six times below normal. On the evening of October 26, the AQI reached 155–195, indicating an ‘Unhealthy’ level. The Ecology Committee has issued warnings to construction organizations, industrial enterprises, and thermal power plants, while Uzhydromet anticipates elevated dust concentrations until November 1.
Sevara AzamovaThe outlet Sarpa.media examined a closed decision of the Tashkent khokim dated 29 November 2024, under which 131 facilities were transferred to entrepreneurs for the creation of standard mahalla centers under public-private partnership. The review showed that in many projects the mahalla is allotted only part of the first floor or basement, while the rest is occupied by hotels, residential buildings and commercial facilities. Violations of environmental legislation and links between developer companies were identified. The khokimiyat did not respond to the outlet's request. The outlet Sarpa.media examined a closed decision of the Tashkent khokim dated November 29, 2024, under which 131 facilities were transferred to entrepreneurs for the creation of standard mahalla centers under a public-private partnership. The review showed that in many projects the mahalla is allotted only part of the first or ground floor, while the rest is occupied by hotels, residential buildings and commercial facilities. Violations of environmental legislation and ties between the developer companies were identified. The khokimiyat did not respond to the outlet's request.
Javlon TursunovOn the night of October 25–26, air quality in Tashkent deteriorated due to a temperature inversion, a sharp cold snap, and weak wind: PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations rose, and at certain monitoring stations the international AQI reached the 'unhealthy' and 'very unhealthy' categories. The Meteosat satellite recorded dust suspended over the city from 00:00 to 08:00. Throughout Monday, the air is forecast to remain unhealthy.
Javlon TursunovResearchers at PNRPU have developed porous materials for biofilters from industrial waste and polyethylene. According to the university, they remove ammonia and hydrogen sulfide from the air 2–2.5 times more effectively than traditional sawdust and expanded clay. The next step is implementation at wastewater treatment plants.
Aziz KarimovThe National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change of Uzbekistan reported that on the night of October 25 to 26, due to unfavorable meteorological conditions, PM concentrations in Tashkent may rise: under the international AQI the air may become 'unhealthy', and under the national index — 'orange'. The causes cited are cooling, weak wind and a temperature inversion.
Aziz KarimovOn October 20, at a session of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, Deputy Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology Iskandar Kutbiddinov presented a new version of the law “On Waste” and proposed introducing a mandatory deposit system for plastic and glass containers and aluminum cans. Deputies approved the draft law in the first reading. The deposit amount, the system operator, and the timeline for the rules to take effect have not yet been disclosed. On October 20, at a session of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, Deputy Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology Iskandar Kutbiddinov presented a new version of the law “On Waste” and proposed introducing a mandatory deposit system for plastic and glass containers and aluminum cans. Deputies approved the draft law in the first reading. The deposit amount, the system operator and the timeline for the rules to take effect have not yet been disclosed.
Otabek YusupovOn the night of October 23–24, air quality in Tashkent briefly deteriorated due to weather conditions — cooling, weak wind and a temperature inversion. According to the Special Commission, at most monitoring points the PM2.5 pollution level corresponded to the 'unhealthy' and 'very unhealthy' categories of the international AQI index, while the national index remained at the 'yellow' level. Improvement was expected during the day on October 24.
Javlon TursunovBy Government Resolution No. 586 of October 22, 2026, Uzbekistan introduced a special ecological regime for greenhouse farms in Tashkent and five districts of Tashkent region. Heated greenhouses must use gas, electricity, geothermal and solar energy, or waste heat from thermal power plants; those operating on solid fuel must switch to these sources by December 1, 2026 or meet a number of strict requirements. Subsidies of up to 50 million soums per hectare, preferential loans and installment plans for CEMS stations are provided.
Javlon TursunovThe former head of the ecology and environmental protection department of Jambay District, Samarkand Region, was found guilty of taking a bribe — an all-in-one computer worth 11 million soums — in exchange for not taking measures over the felling of about 100 poplar trees and for helping return a truck from an impound lot. He was caught red-handed on June 26 and sentenced to 5 years of imprisonment.
Javlon TursunovThe state company DIAMO announced the discovery of a large gold deposit near the town of Zlaté Hory in the north-east of the Czech Republic. According to preliminary data, the reserves amount to about 11 tonnes of gold; the ore also contains copper and zinc. No final decision on launching mining has been made yet.
Sevara AzamovaCoastline cleanup from oil products is underway in the Tomari district of Sakhalin Oblast. Three kilometers of shore near the village of Penzenskoye have been cleaned, and work continues at two more sites. The source of the spill has not been identified, there is no threat to residents, and no oil slicks have been found in the Tatar Strait.
Sevara AzamovaThe Tashkent khokimiyat reported that city services are using special equipment to spray water to clean tree crowns and foliage from dust. The reason was dry weather: according to Uzhydromet, 11 mm of precipitation fell in the city since the beginning of October, compared to a norm of 24 mm. The administration stressed that these measures do not replace natural precipitation but help maintain the microclimate. Similar street watering was carried out in November last year.
Sevara AzamovaUzbekistan's National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change reported that in the evening of October 20, concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 particles will rise in Tashkent. At night and in the morning, air quality is forecast at the level of 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' on the international AQI index and 'yellow' on the national one. The reasons cited are cooling to +9 degrees, weak wind and a strong temperature inversion. By the morning of October 21, as the inversion weakens, the air should return to the 'moderate' level.
Javlon TursunovA decree by Tashkent khokim Shavkat Umrzakov dated October 19 provides for creating micro-forests on plots of 200–1000 sq. m with dense sapling planting, public gardens in planters on asphalted areas, a ban on privatizing green zones, a 'Green Lot' system from 2027, and the start of the autumn tree-planting season on November 10.
Sevara Azamova
