Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan has launched the nationwide competition “Do You Know the Laws on Ecology?” aimed at enhancing young people’s legal literacy in environmental protection.

The competition is organized by the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, and the Ministry of Preschool and School Education.

Traditionally held from January to March, the competition has already completed its preliminary and sectoral stages.

Currently, district and city rounds are in full swing, with the final competitions scheduled for March. Teams of eight students from educational institutions across the country participate in the event, with participants aged up to 14 years.

The competition stages are as follows:

The district (city) stage will continue until 14 February.

The regional stage will take place from 17 to 28 February in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the regions, and the city of Tashkent.

The national stage will be held in Samarkand (on 10–12 March) for school students and in Khorezm (on 17–19 March) for students of vocational institutions.

Competition Categories:

Participants compete in various categories, including “This is Our Territory,” “Intellectual Challenge,” “We Are All Responsible for the Environment,” and “Best Environmental Project.” Special attention is given to youth initiatives aimed at tackling environmental issues such as climate change, deforestation, water pollution, and promoting environmental awareness.

Goals and Objectives:

According to Zarrina Abdullayeva, Head of the Department at the Ministry of Ecology and Secretary of the competition’s organizing committee, the main goal of the event is to strengthen young people’s legal knowledge in the field of ecology and to train qualified professionals for environmental protection.

“Our aim is not only for young people to know the laws but also to apply them in practice. The competition fosters a sense of responsibility for nature among the younger generation and helps develop environmental awareness,” noted Zarrina Abdullayeva.

Supporting Youth Initiatives:

As part of the competition, organizers visit different regions to meet with young eco-activists. Recent meetings in Karakalpakstan, Samarkand, Jizzakh, Navoi, Khorezm, Surkhandarya, and other regions focused on improving youth legal literacy and supporting their environmental projects.

Significance of the Competition:

The event not only enhances young people’s environmental and legal awareness but also strengthens the rule of law and promotes respect for Uzbekistan’s Constitution and other legislative acts. Competition participants have the opportunity to propose their own ideas for solving pressing environmental issues, making them active contributors to environmental protection efforts.

The “Do You Know the Laws on Ecology?” competition has already become an important tool in shaping ecological consciousness among young people and preparing future specialists who will contribute to the preservation of Uzbekistan’s natural environment.