President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan was briefed on March 23 on priority nationwide projects in ecology and environmental protection for 2026–2030, where it was announced that the country plans to establish 2 new botanical and 16 dendrological gardens. This initiative falls under the "Green Space" concept and aims to study, preserve, and display local and foreign plants, as well as introduce tree and shrub species to protect biodiversity, though the feasibility and funding of such an ambitious plan remain uncertain.
Currently, Uzbekistan has only 3 botanical gardens; under the plan, by 2028, new gardens covering at least 100 hectares each will be established in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, all regions, and Tashkent City. The process will consider each area's soil-climatic conditions, selecting appropriate trees and shrubs, with facilities including various floristic expositions, greenhouses, nurseries, and flower gardens, but the implementation may face logistical and environmental hurdles.
Key targets of the project include increasing the overall greenery level in the country from 14.2% to 30% by 2030, reducing PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations by 20–25%, and lowering average air temperatures in harsh climate zones by 1.5–2 degrees. While this represents a comprehensive effort to address environmental issues, the economic costs and long-term sustainability of these measures are yet to be proven, raising concerns about potential inefficiencies.
The presentation also introduced a concept for a National Dendrological Garden in Tashkent, spanning 108 hectares. This major green area is slated to have 50,000 tree saplings and 100,000 shrubs planted, along with features like a "World Trees" zone, plant collections from 6 climate regions, and an artificial lake. The garden could reduce air temperature by 2–4 degrees and increase humidity by 10–15%, but its construction and maintenance expenses pose significant challenges.
The National Dendrological Garden is envisioned not just as a green space but as a scientific, educational, and public venue, incorporating modern ecological technologies such as solar panels and automated irrigation systems. It is intended to serve as a natural laboratory for the Central Asian University of Environment and Climate Change (Green University) and a biotourism center for residents, yet doubts persist about its practical impact and alignment with broader environmental goals in the region.
Source: www.gazeta.uz