As part of this project, the implementation of autonomous systems for rainwater collection and the use of wastewater from multi-storey buildings for watering green spaces is also planned. Authorities have proposed subsidies for the installation of the necessary filtration equipment.
Some measures to improve the atmosphere are already in place. In particular, all 56 water trucks in Tashkent are operating around the clock to water streets, trees, and sidewalks. However, this is not enough, and the authorities aim to acquire at least 140 more units of irrigation equipment as soon as possible.
Moreover, despite the end of the season, 43 fountains have been restarted, most of which operate 24/7. The lawn irrigation system has also been activated, which, according to ecologists, helps create a local microclimate and reduce dust levels. In this regard, there are plans to double the number of fountains and establish a norm that there should be one fountain or artificial water body for every 2,000 square meters.
Among the long-term initiatives is the increase of green spaces. Authorities plan to create two new botanical gardens and two dendrological parks in Tashkent and its surroundings by November 30, 2026, as well as organize a "green corridor" along the Small Ring Road.
As reported by the committee, the previously announced project to restore the "green belt" of the capital, covering an area of 1,300 hectares, was suspended due to a lack of funding, but work will now resume with the allocation of $25 million.
Additional initiatives aimed at improving the environmental situation in Tashkent were also announced:
- transition of all greenhouse farms to gas (possibly mandatory);
- stricter penalties for burning tires, fuel oil, and mixtures as fuel;
- complete ban on the sale of AI-80 gasoline in Uzbekistan starting January 1, 2026;
- modernization of thermal power plants, which will lead to a reduction in harmful emissions;
- introduction of environmental stickers for cars (starting April 1, 2026) and encouragement to switch to environmentally friendly transport;
- increased requirements for developers to ensure green spaces and install air quality monitoring stations;
- significant increase in fines for environmental violations by 5-10 times.
It is also important to strengthen control over compliance with environmental standards. In this regard, the environmental inspection has been reorganized into an Eco-Police with expanded powers. Furthermore, there are plans to bring the situation with household waste landfills under state control and develop a pollution cadastre to track emission sources in real-time.
Abduhakimov noted that recent days have been a serious signal for the authorities: "Now, when an investor comes to us with a proposal to build a plant, many will start to think about how this will affect the ecology. It is important not only to create jobs but also to consider environmental aspects," he emphasized.
At the beginning of 2024, when Tashkent faced serious smog, Uzbek officials proposed an action program to address this issue. It included measures such as the abandonment of AI-80 gasoline, the creation of car-free streets, a ban on the use of coal and fuel oil, as well as the creation of artificial water bodies and a "green belt," the installation of air purification equipment, and others.
Judging by the updated "roadmap," many of the planned activities announced nearly two years ago have still not been implemented.
