"My Garden" Initiative Drives Creation of New Green Public Spaces in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan's "My Garden" Initiative Cultivates New Green Public Spaces

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The nationwide "My Garden" (Mening Bog'im) project continues its implementation across Uzbekistan, focusing on establishing contemporary green public areas driven by citizen initiatives.

This project unifies the efforts of the state, local government bodies, the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change, forestry authorities, and residents. Its aim is to foster a comfortable urban environment, enhance quality of life, and help settlements adapt to the impacts of climate change.

A defining characteristic of the project is robust public engagement. Residents propose initiatives for new green zones, which are then put to a public vote on the "Open Budget" portal. Projects garnering the most support receive funding, and their execution is managed by the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change in collaboration with relevant agencies.

Over 500 New Green Spaces in Three Years

The project's scope expands annually:

In 2024, 789 initiatives were submitted via the "Open Budget" portal, with 212 projects selected as winners after public voting. A total of 140.1 hectares of land was allocated for these projects, resulting in the creation of 128 green gardens and 84 public parks.

For 2025, residents proposed 570 projects, from which 174 initiatives were chosen. Following site evaluations, 18 projects were set aside for not meeting the established criteria. Consequently, 89 green gardens and 67 public parks were developed across 104.9 hectares, adhering to approved project and estimate documentation.

Work is ongoing in 2026. The Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, along with regional and Tashkent city khokimiyats, prepared 610 proposals for new green spaces. Over 152,000 citizens participated in the voting, with 97,400 supporting the winning projects. After the selection process, 208 initiatives secured funding, ensuring at least one project in every district and city nationwide. A total of UZS 52 billion has been allocated for their implementation.

New Green Spaces Across the Country

Currently, the "My Garden" project is being realized in all regions of Uzbekistan:

In the Surkhandarya region, one of the largest green zones in the area is being established in the "Korakir" area of the Angor district. Across 108 hectares, 270,000 ornamental trees are being planted to improve ecological conditions, combat desertification, and create a new green landscape.

In the Khorezm region, a modern 9-hectare park is taking shape near the "Arda Khiva" complex, where over 4,000 ornamental trees have already been planted. Once completed, it will become one of historic Khiva's most expansive recreational areas.

In the Samarkand region, a 2-hectare "Green Garden" was established in the "Olmazor" mahalla of the Bulungur district, featuring over 1,200 ornamental trees suited to local climate conditions. The installation of lighting, benches, and other landscaping elements is nearing completion. Concurrently, in the Akdarya district, a new public park with gazebos, walking paths, and comprehensive landscaping has already opened.

In the Jizzakh region, several significant projects are simultaneously underway. In the "Yangiobod" mahalla of the Sharaf Rashidov district, a 10-hectare public park is being developed, with 2,500 ornamental and fruit trees planted to date. In Jizzakh city itself, construction continues on a new 13.6-hectare park featuring over 4,800 planted trees and shrubs, including Crimean and Eldar pine, oak, ash, maple, chestnut, birch, elm, and catalpa. In the "New Uzbekistan" massif of the Sharaf Rashidov district, a 28-hectare public park and protective green belt were created using terracing, incorporating 11,270 planted trees and a modern drip irrigation system.

In the Navoi region, the establishment of new public gardens and the enhancement of existing green spaces are ongoing, with environmental services providing continuous care for young plantings.

Additional contributions stem from other environmental campaigns: a "Taxation Officers' Garden" with 10,000 trees was created in Jizzakh, and an initiative marking UNESCO's 80th anniversary under the slogan "80,000 Trees" saw 6,500 saplings planted in the Sharaf Rashidov district alone. In the Fergana region, a green belt comprising over 100,000 ornamental trees was formed around the Karkidon Reservoir, alongside a 7.1-kilometer protective tree line along the access road.

A Modern Approach to Urban Greening

Creating green spaces involves not only planting trees but also ensuring their long-term professional care, with particular emphasis on summer irrigation and agrotechnical measures.

Collaboration between the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change and the International Public Fund "Zamin" provides additional momentum. Under the Yashil zamin project, active since 2022, thousands of trees and shrubs were planted this spring in Tashkent, Akhangaran, and the Yangikhayot district. In the Yangikhayot district alone, over 2,000 plane trees, oaks, ashes, crape myrtles, and Rose of Sharon bushes were planted across 2 hectares, bringing total plantings there to 18,790 over 25.6 hectares.

Greening also progressed along the Burzhar canal embankment in Tashkent's Chilanzar and Yakkasaray districts, as well as in Akhangaran, covering 4.5 hectares with over 5,000 trees during the spring campaign.

In 2026, seven joint ecological projects are being implemented with the Zamin Fund, including the creation of the 9.26-hectare Yoshlar eko bog‘i youth ecopark in Khiva (already home to 3,082 trees and over 2,000 shrubs) and a comprehensive reconstruction of a 22.6-hectare park in Angren featuring walking alleys, modern lighting, picnic areas, an artificial pond, and an automated irrigation system.

Investing in the Country's Ecological Future

The "My Garden" project has emerged as one of Uzbekistan's most significant public environmental initiatives. By empowering citizens to vote on local projects, it not only increases green coverage but also fosters a community-driven environmental culture focused on building resilient, sustainable cities.