In order to widen the highway and reconstruct the bridge in Oltinsoy district, Surkhandarya region, perennial ornamental trees were illegally cut down. A criminal case has been initiated, the Regional Department of Ecology reported.

It is noted that the responsible officer of the district administration asked for verbal permission from the Department of Ecology for the purpose of widening the road passing through the area of “Mirshodi” mahalla of Oltinsoy district, for the purpose of reconstruction of the “Qora Ariq” bridge.

Allegedly, the Department of Ecology disagreed with staff conducting a survey of trees in the area, explaining that illegal felling is punishable under current legislation.

Nevertheless, in the evening, 61 valuable trees (2 maples, 54 virgin firs), 6 low-value trees (2 poplars, 4 willows) were cut down by unknown persons.

The operative group of the Department of Ecology of the Surkhandarya region arrived at the place of the incident on the same day and drew up an administrative report. According to experts’ calculations, as a result of this illegal action, the flora sustained damage in the amount of 293 million 700 thousand soums.

On the above fact, the Surkhandarya regional prosecutor’s office has initiated a criminal case.