Desertification in full swing — Over 1,800 trees being transplanted in Bukhara

According to the Regional Environmental Department, a 20-kilometer stretch (from km 218 to km 228) of the A-380 "Guzar–Bukhara–Nukus–Beyneu" highway is undergoing reconstruction. As part of this project, 151 of the 1,824 trees have been relocated to the "Bokiy Bukhoro" (Eternal Bukhara) complex and the New Uzbekistan Park, while efforts continue to transplant the remaining trees to unoccupied areas.

"The 1,824 fruit-bearing and ornamental trees are being transplanted to vacant lands in accordance with legal requirements. This process complies with Clause 33, Chapter 5 of Resolution No. 464 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, dated August 22, 2022," the statement read.

Tree relocation efforts under this project were also carried out in February 2024.

Residents of Bukhara have voiced deep concerns over the situation, describing it as alarming. Many fear that the transplanted trees may not survive, further exacerbating the region’s environmental challenges.

"The perennial trees along the roadside in the center of Kogon have completely dried up. We even recorded videos about this, but no action was taken," wrote a social media user.

"If the issue is not resolved and the 'desertification' efforts continue, our environment will undoubtedly suffer. However, we are not seeing any efforts to properly transplant the trees, care for them, and return them to the public in the same condition," another concerned resident stated.

The Troll.uz channel described the situation as "Desertification in full swing."

"I don't understand why they are cutting down the trees. These trees helped keep the air clean," another social media user commented.

Additionally, Kun.uz received complaints from Bukhara residents requesting that the roadside trees be left in place.

"When we walked past the felled trees, there were tourists with us, and they were shocked by what they saw. There are already very few trees in Bukhara, and now they are destroying the ones that remain. Locals say the trees are being removed to widen the road. Please, do not destroy them," the complaint read.

Was a public hearing held before the transplantation?

Kun.uz reached out to the Regional Environmental Department to clarify whether a public hearing had been conducted before the tree transplantation. Officials stated that a hearing took place on October 28, 2023, but no details were provided regarding its outcome.

On February 18, a Kun.uz reporter contacted the head of "Qorako‘l Dizayn" LLC, the company carrying out the transplantation. He stated that the Chinese firm overseeing the road construction had contracted "Qorako‘l Dizayn" to relocate 550 trees.

"I have been involved in planting and transplanting trees for 10 years. The Chinese company reached out to me for this project, and we agreed on the relocation," he explained.

He also assured that the transplanted trees would be properly cared for and kept alive. "If even a single tree dies, we will replace it with ten new ones. We are following all the necessary procedures," he added.

A two-year-old controversy project

The plan to remove trees for highway expansion in Bukhara and Surkhandarya first surfaced in 2023, triggering widespread public backlash. At the time, the Ministry of Ecology and several lawmakers aligned with public concerns.

Notably, Odil Tojiyev, Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber, strongly opposed the initiative, stating: “No road construction should come at the cost of environmental damage. Parliament will not stand by as a spectator. We will discuss the issue and submit a parliamentary inquiry.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Ecology reported that it had rejected requests for tree transplantation.

According to the ministry report, the reconstruction of the Guzar–Bukhara–Nukus–Beyneu highway in Kashkadarya required the removal of 31,371 trees and shrubs, while the reconstruction of sections of the Manguzar–Jarkurgan–Bandikhon–Altinsay–Denov and Darband–Boysun–Elbayon roads in Surkhandarya called for the transplantation of 21,803 trees. At the time, the ministry firmly stated that it would not approve these plans.

Amid growing concerns over deforestation and deteriorating air quality, many Uzbekistanis have taken to social media, using hashtags like #DaraxtlarniAsraylik (Let’s Save the Trees) and #NafasOlolmayapman (I Can’t Breathe) to voice their frustration.