The National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change has proposed allowing greenhouse farms in Tashkent and the surrounding region to continue operations only on the condition that they adopt eco-friendly heating technologies. This initiative aims to address mounting environmental concerns in the capital area.

Under the proposed framework, greenhouses would be permitted to utilize natural and liquefied gas, electricity, geothermal and solar energy, as well as secondary thermal energy generated by thermal power plants. In exceptional cases where alternative energy sources are inaccessible, the use of coal may be permitted under strict regulation.

However, operating with coal would require greenhouses to be outfitted with modern certified boilers, high-efficiency filters, and advanced emission cleaning systems. Furthermore, the volume of pollutants released into the atmosphere must strictly comply with established ecological thresholds to prevent environmental degradation.

Authorities are also planning to introduce targeted subsidies and tax incentives for greenhouse enterprises that successfully transition to sustainable heating standards. Meanwhile, the committee reaffirmed that the ban on operating within the capital region will remain firmly in place for any greenhouses failing to adopt these mandatory safety systems.

The heightened scrutiny follows a surge in public complaints, particularly from residents of the Yunusabad district, regarding deteriorating air quality and unpleasant odors linked to coal-fired heating in greenhouses. The situation has been exacerbated by seasonal atmospheric inversions during calm, windless nights, which trap pollutants near the ground.

Source: kun.uz