Uzbekistan has opened 18 reservoirs for ecotourism, Kun.uz correspondent reports referring to a governmental decree.

According to experts, this decision was made in order to develop ecotourism in the territories of reservoirs and active use of water resources for recreation of the population and guests of the republic.

Now business entities and investors will be able to organize tours to the reservoirs, build their facilities there. This issue will be governed by a special provision on the organization of tourism and the procedure for the allocation of land plots within water bodies for the organization of business activities.

In particular, land plots near the reservoirs will be provided to legal entities and individuals for long-term lease through an electronic auction.

At the first stage, reservoirs located in Andijan, Jizzakh, Kashkadarya, Namangan, Samarkand, Surkhandarya, Tashkent and Fergana regions are open for ecotourism.

To enhance the development of this type of recreation, a special working group is created from the management team of a number of ministries and departments. Until January 30, 2019, they will conduct an inventory of roads leading to reservoirs, make proposals for inclusion of projects for the construction, reconstruction and overhaul of highways and roadside infrastructure within water protection zones of reservoirs in the state development programs of Uzbekistan for 2020-2021.