President Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in a tree-planting event as part of the nationwide “Yashil Makon” initiative and launched the National Dendrological Park project.
Addressing the participants, the President noted that, for centuries, our compatriots, following long-standing traditions, have planted saplings in their yards, in parks and alleys, and along roads during the celebration of Navruz, as well as on the occasion of a new addition to the family, adorning them with flowers and fragrant plants.
Based on these noble values, the nationwide project “Yashil Makon” has been implemented over the past five years, with 200 million saplings being planted annually.
Over the past period, 942 green spaces and public parks have been created across more than 2,000 hectares, while “Yangi Uzbekistan” gardens have been established at 47 sites. In the mountainous, desert, and steppe regions of the country, forests have been created on 256,000 hectares. On the dried bed of the Aral Sea, protective forest plantations have been established across 2 million hectares. To mitigate the harmful effects of winds and dust storms, a 60-kilometre “green belt” has been created in 33 districts.
Last year, modern nurseries capable of growing 5.5 million ornamental tree saplings annually were launched in the Khodjeyli, Yangibazar, Gijduvan, Balykchi, and Akhangaran districts. Furthermore, to combat desertification based on Chinese experience, drought-resistant halophyte parks were established for the first time this year on an area of 50 hectares in the Arnasay, Karakul, Mubarek, and Karmana districts, and the city of Nukus. It was noted that the halophyte seeds grown there will help reduce soil salinity across thousands of hectares and improve land fertility in the future.
Overall, in a short period, the level of greening in the republic has increased from 8 to 14.2 percent. A new presidential decree signed last week sets an ambitious goal: to bring the country’s overall greening level to 30 percent and the area of green spaces per capita to 10 square meters by 2030.
To this end, a 10,000-hectare green space will be created in the Surkhandarya region, along with an 84-kilometre green barrier in the Syrdarya region. New forests will be established across 1 million hectares of desert land in Karakalpakstan, 300,000 hectares each in Navoi and Bukhara, and 85,000 hectares in Khorezm. In addition, regional khokims will be tasked with creating botanical gardens and dendrological parks of at least 100 hectares, as well as developing a minimum of 20 shaded walking alleys.
It was noted that, in the current conditions, when environmental and public health issues are becoming increasingly relevant, the recommendations of the International Center for Molecular Allergology on the selection and planting of tree species adapted to local conditions are of particular importance.
Starting this year, green technical schools will be established in each region, with plans to train 10,000 specialists annually through a dual education system. Botanical gardens and dendrological parks will serve as practical training bases for students of these schools, as well as research platforms for scientists.
The President proposed further expanding public and parliamentary participation in the creation of green areas at the local level. Whereas previously up to 250 million soums were allocated from the budget for each project under the “My Garden” program, this amount will now be increased to 400 million soums. Up to 1 hectare of land will be allocated for each green garden and public park on plots selected by residents themselves, located near their homes and, most importantly, supplied with water. Starting this season, each deputy of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis will also be allocated 412 million soums to create a green zone and a green garden in their constituency.
The Head of State emphasized that it is no coincidence that such wise expressions as “A garden remains from a good person,” “One sapling — a thousand blessings,” and “If a child is born or a wedding is held — plant a tree” are common among our people. It was noted that today such national values are more relevant than ever.
In this regard, the President called on mahalla chairpersons, representatives of the older generation, women activists, and all active residents to more widely promote national customs, traditions, and values at the local level by creating clubs and associations, and to lead the planting of saplings and flowers on every street, in every home, along roads, as well as trees and shrubs in green areas.
As for the National Dendrological Park, it is being established in the capital on an area of 108 hectares. This year, an in vitro laboratory, as well as centers for medicinal plants, seed production, and selection, being developed on the science–project–practice principle, will be commissioned here.
The President expressed sincere gratitude to the Chair of the United Nations Forum on Forests Ismail Belen, the Director of the Forum Secretariat Juliette Biao, representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Uzbekistan, and all participants.
At the end of the event, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, together with the participants, planted ornamental saplings on the first 5 hectares of the National Dendrological Park. At the same time, around 21,000 of our compatriots across all regions of the country planted 88,000 saplings on an additional 164 hectares.