Serious environmental violations were identified at a construction site in Tashkent
51 trees were destroyed illegally and without authorization. The enterprise [destroyed] 50 juniper/cypress trees and 1 plane tree.
Serious environmental violations exposed at a construction site in Tashkent
The inspection was carried out after notifying the Authorized Person for the Protection of the Rights and Legitimate Interests of Business Entities.
During the study, it was established that although a positive conclusion of the State Environmental Expertise had been obtained for each stage of the complex, most of the requirements specified in the conclusions were not fulfilled.
In particular, blockposts for washing the wheels of trucks at the entry and exit roads of the construction site were not constructed at all. As a result, mud and soil spread along "Jarqo'rg'on" Street for 2–2.5 kilometers. After the mud dried, passing vehicles crushed it, raising heavy dust into the air. Furthermore, measures for ambient air protection were not developed at all.
Additionally, the enterprise was unable to provide any documents regarding where 126,188.9 tons of waste resulting from the demolition of old buildings and 368,432 tons of soil generated from foundation pit excavation were taken. According to specialists' measurements, 12,036 tons of solid municipal and construction waste accumulated outside the designated area on the territory. Contracts for waste removal and wastewater transportation were also not concluded.
Furthermore, 51 trees were destroyed unauthorizedly and illegally. The enterprise submitted an application to cut down 50 juniper trees and 1 plane tree, but permission was not granted by the Main Department of Ecology of Tashkent City. Despite this, during the inspection, it was revealed that these trees had been cut down.
The expertise requirements were also not fulfilled by the enterprise. Obligations to landscape at least 25 percent of the territory within the framework of the "Yashil Makon" (Green Space) program, to develop a carbon neutrality plan, and other commitments were not executed. It was noted that the above cases contradict the requirements of the laws "On Nature Protection", "On Ambient Air Protection", and "On Waste".
The enterprise was assessed a compensation payment of 5 billion 183 million 364 thousand 476 sums for environmental pollution and illegal waste placement. At the same time, it was established that 396 million sums of damage caused to the flora for the destroyed trees must be compensated.
In addition, the obligation was imposed to plant 100 saplings for each destroyed tree, totaling 5,100 saplings, and to care for them for 3 years. An administrative fine of 4 million 400 thousand sums was applied to the head of the enterprise under Part 1 of Article 85¹ of the Code of Administrative Responsibility.
Also, the enterprise was given necessary instructions to immediately take measures to prevent dust rising and to protect the air, to measure, remove, and submit the waste on the territory for recycling, to submit the draft "Statement on Environmental Consequences" for expertise by December 10, as well as other instructions.