The government of Uzbekistan has officially approved a targeted list of ten prominent natural sites deemed highly promising for the development of speleotourism, also known as cave exploration tourism. The strategic initiative was ratified by a Cabinet of Ministers resolution aimed at diversifying the nation's adventure and ecological travel sectors.

The approved catalog includes nine distinctive caves and one historic salt mine distributed across the Jizzakh, Samarkand, Surkhandarya, and Kashkadarya regions. Among the featured sites are the Peshagor, Yakhdon, Omonquton, Kiev, Hazrati Dovud, Qorong‘i Yulduz, Teshiktosh, and Amir Temur caves, alongside the renowned Boybuloq cave—one of the deepest cave systems in the world—and the Khojaikon salt mine.

Under the state-led initiative, authorities will conduct a comprehensive audit of each site to establish a unified digital register. This process will assess their geographical layout, accessibility, technical safety, and legal classification. The project also entails full-scale digitization, including high-resolution imaging, 3D modeling, and QR-code informational systems integrated directly into Uzbekistan's National Tourism Platform.

Infrastructure enhancements and visitor safety remain paramount in the rollout. Specialized navigation systems, trail infrastructure, and strict safety guidelines will be instituted in close collaboration with emergency response services. Furthermore, officials plan to attract private capital, foster international scientific expeditions, and market Uzbekistan’s underground landscapes to global explorers.

Source: uznews.uz