"Desertification is underway" – The relocation of over 1,800 trees in Bukhara sparks outrage among residents.

In social media, discussions are ongoing regarding the transplantation of trees along the Bukhara-Kagan road. The published videos show that among the transplanted trees are specimens aged 15–17 years.

According to data from the regional ecology department, a 20-kilometer section of the A-380 highway "Guzar – Bukhara – Nukus – Beineu" (218–228 km) is being repaired. In this regard, 151 trees have been transplanted to the "Bokiy Bukhoro" complex and the "Yangi Uzbekistan" park, while the remaining trees are continuing to be relocated to available areas.

"A total of 1824 fruit and ornamental trees are being transplanted to free areas in accordance with legal requirements. We inform you that this process is being carried out in accordance with paragraph 33 of Chapter 5 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan Resolution No. 464 dated August 22, 2022," the agency stated.

As part of this road project, tree transplantation was conducted in February 2024 as well.

Residents of Bukhara, writing about the situation on social media, express their concerns, noting that the transplanted trees may dry out.

"The trees that grew along the road in the center of Kagan have completely dried out. We even filmed a video, but no action has been taken," one user writes.

"If the problem is not resolved and the 'desertification' works continue, our nature will indeed be in a deplorable state. But we do not see that the transplanted trees are being carefully tended to and restored to their former condition," noted another resident.

The channel Troll.uz characterized the situation with the phrase: "Desertification is in full swing."

"I don't understand why they are cutting down trees. They were purifying the air," asks another user.

Additionally, the Kun.uz editorial office received complaints from Bukhara residents requesting the preservation of trees.

"When we passed by with tourists, they were shocked. There are almost no trees left in Bukhara, and now they are destroying those that remain. Residents say that the trees are being removed to widen the road. Please do not destroy the trees," reads one of the appeals.

Have public hearings been held?

A Kun.uz journalist posed this question to the regional ecology department. A representative of the agency reported that the hearings took place on October 28, 2023, but there is no information on what decision was made.

The journalist also contacted the head of LLC "Korakul Design," which is involved in the transplantation of trees. According to him, a Chinese company building the road has contracted them to transplant 550 trees.

"I have been engaged in planting and transplanting trees for 10 years. This Chinese company found me, and we agreed on the transplantation," he states.

The entrepreneur also assured that the transplanted trees would be cared for and would take root. "If even one tree dries out, we will plant ten new ones. Everything is done according to the rules," he added.

The project that sparked criticism two years ago

Plans for tree transplantation to widen roads in the Bukhara and Surkhandarya regions were revealed back in 2023. This caused a wave of outrage on social media, and the Ministry of Ecology and some deputies supported the public's opinion.

In particular, the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, Odil Tojiyev, at that time stated : "No road construction should be carried out at the expense of nature. Parliament will not remain a bystander. We will discuss the issue and send a deputy inquiry."

The Ministry of Ecology also announced that it had refused to approve the transplantation of trees.

According to the ministry’s information, the transplantation of 31,371 trees and shrubs in the Kashkadarya region was planned for the repair of the "Guzar – Bukhara – Nukus – Beineu" route, as well as 21,803 trees in the Surkhandarya region for the reconstruction of sections of the roads "Manguzar – Jarkurgan – Bandikhan – Altynsai – Denau" and "Derbent – Baysun – Elbayon."

At that time, the ministry stated that it would not give consent for these works.

It should be noted that residents of Uzbekistan, concerned about the deterioration of green zones and air quality, continue to share their opinions on social media, using the hashtags #DaraxtlarniAsraylik, #NafasOlolmayapman.