Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- During the 54th plenary session of the Senate, the results of a parliamentary inquiry directed to the Cabinet of Ministers regarding the state of improving the quality composition, conservation of flora and fauna, and management of cadastre of protected natural areas were discussed.

As evident from the response to the parliamentary inquiry, comprehensive measures are being implemented in the Republic for the conservation of unique, valuable natural objects and complexes, plant and animal funds, and the development of the system of protected natural areas aimed at studying natural processes.

In particular, over the past five years, 3 presidential decrees of the Republic of Uzbekistan and 13 resolutions and 1 directive of the Cabinet of Ministers on the activities of protected natural areas (PNA) have been adopted. Thanks to the work carried out, the area of PNAs in the Republic has increased to 6.4 million hectares, comprising 14.08% of the country’s territory.

In accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan from 21 February 2024, it is planned to establish national nature parks in the Ferghana and Namangan regions this year and increase the area of PNAs to 14.2%.

Proposals for the creation of transboundary PNAs have been developed and submitted to interested parties.

Control measures have been conducted jointly with relevant ministries and agencies to prevent smuggling of animals and plants, illegal hunting, and illegal logging in PNAs.

A smart monitoring system has been implemented for the registration and monitoring of plant and animal objects, and work has been organized for the collection, formation, and analysis of cadastral information. The Unified State Cadastre System has also been integrated into the National Geographic Information System. Over 500 camera traps have been installed in PNAs for the monitoring of wild animals.

PNAs are equipped with primary fire extinguishing facilities, fire paths have been repaired, and mineralized sidewalks have been laid.

Feeding stations have been organized at 693 points, artificial ponds at 92 points, more than 500 salt marshes, and additional feeding areas for biotechnical measures.

Special vehicles, laboratory equipment, electronic microscopes, camera traps, and other technical equipment have been acquired to support research and development in PNAs.

Buffer zones have been created in adjacent territories to nature reserves to reduce the impact of anthropogenic factors on PNAs.

To conserve and reproduce rare and endangered species of wild animals and plants listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Bukhara deer breeding reserves, the Kyzylkum Reserve for argalis, and specialized nurseries named "Jeyran" have been established.

Approximately two thousand control raid measures were conducted during 2023 to prevent violations in this area. Preventive explanatory work has been carried out among the population living in areas adjacent to PNAs.

It was noted that the analysis of the response to the parliamentary inquiry and the conducted studies show that some issues still remain relevant.

In particular, despite the fact that funds for biotechnological activities in PNAs should be financed from the local budget, in some cases, they still do not receive sufficient funding.

It is necessary to develop ecological indicators taking into account the characteristics of territories, natural complexes, and territorial differences.

The biodiversity of PNAs continues to decline, and the total biomass is decreasing due to illegal grazing, unauthorized land seizures, and other negative factors.

Actions are being intensified to return PNA lands to reserves for industrial and other purposes.

During the plenary session, it was emphasized that the resolution of the aforementioned issues remains under parliamentary control, as well as some issues requiring specific time and continuous monitoring.

Following discussions, a corresponding resolution of the Senate was adopted.