A criminal case has been initiated into a fire in the Zarafshan National Natural Park, located in the Samarkand region, the PGO press service reported.

The fire started on January 13, 2024 in a part of the natural park located on the territory of the Olmazor mahalla.

Fire and rescue teams arrived at the scene and the fire was completely extinguished. No casualties were reported as a result of the incident.

It is noted that officials from the regional prosecutor’s office arrived at the scene. According to preliminary data, the amount of damage to nature amounted to 120.7 million soums.

“A criminal case has been opened on this fact and investigative actions have begun. The investigation is under the control of the Prosecutor General’s Office,” the statement said.

In the Zarafshan National Natural Park, fires also occurred twice in 2021 and 2022, causing great damage to nature.

For reference, the Zarafshan National Natural Park is one of 10 reserves and national parks in Uzbekistan, founded in 1975 as a reserve, later transformed into a national natural park. The park’s area is 2,352 hectares and it stretches 47 kilometers along the Zarafshan River. The main goal of the park is the restoration and preservation of the population of endangered species in the republic, as well as the protection of other species of birds and animals. Reindeer breeding has been carried out here since 1995.