Thousands of ferula plants were destroyed in the Navoi region. Damages were estimated at nearly 4 billion soums.

Illegal harvesting of wild ferula has been stopped in the Navoi region, resulting in the destruction of thousands of plants and environmental damage amounting to nearly 4 billion soums.

According to Podrobno.uz news agency from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, a group of individuals engaged in the illegal harvesting of wild ferula was identified in the Nurata district of the Navoi region. Their activities damaged 7,500 plants, and the environmental damage caused exceeded 3 billion soums.

The group, which was illegally cutting wild ferula and collecting its juice, was discovered by the Ecopolice of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change during a raid on the territory of the Kizilcha mahalla. According to the agency, two local residents were involved in the illegal activity; they hired workers, led by a citizen from Surkhandarya.

During the inspection, electronic scales and nine sharp knives used for cutting plants and collecting sap were confiscated from the violators. Over 2 kilograms of sand-laced sap and 220 grams of pure sap were also found. All confiscated items and substances were processed as evidence.

Experts calculated the damage, which amounted to 3.09 billion soums.

The inspection materials have been submitted for legal review and further action in accordance with current legislation.

Previously, a case was reported in which a resident of Kashkadarya received a large sum of money from an Afghan citizen, promising to purchase Tajik ferula resin, but the goods were never delivered.