A story from Uzbekistan's Surkhandarya region has sparked public outcry: Alexander Fedin, who allegedly spent nearly 40 years turning arid land into a man-made forest, has reportedly been fired from the enterprise he built and left homeless.

According to a social media post, in 1989, 30-year-old Fedin received 4 hectares of barren land near the Aktepa reservoir in Jarkurgan district. Despite harsh conditions, he transformed it into a green area. Later, he was granted an additional 84 hectares, and with like-minded volunteers, the forest expanded to 101 hectares.

The territory housed a large hunting and fishing enterprise, serving as a model for ecological restoration. In 2023, Fedin was awarded the 'Defender of Nature' badge, and in 2025, the 'Dustlik' order.

However, in autumn 2025, Fedin was allegedly dismissed, and the forest was handed over to the military. Subsequently, the land was reportedly subleased to a private individual who introduced a 250,000 soum entry fee. Fedin also lost his home, as he had lived in a hunting lodge on the premises.

Witnesses claim the situation severely affected Fedin's mental health, leading to his admission to the Surkhandarya branch of the Republican Mental Health Center. Doctors found no clinical illness, and he can be discharged, but he has nowhere to go.

The public is urging authorities to restore justice: either return the forest to Fedin or provide him with housing. No official comments have been issued yet.

Source: podrobno.uz