Public input now required before allocating land in populated areas

Starting April 1, 2026, the public will have the right to block the removal or repurposing of tree-covered land in populated areas, including cities, towns, and villages, that does not belong to the forest fund. This provision was included in a decree signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on November 19, concerning the organization of the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change.

Under the new system, citizens can submit requests through government service centers or the Unified Interactive Public Services Portal. If at least 10 percent of residents in the neighborhood where the land is located support the initiative, the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change will prohibit the removal or allocation of that land for other purposes.

The Cadastre Agency will verify that the land is not privately owned or classified under another land category. Once confirmed, the National Committee will officially register the prohibition.

Additionally, all protected natural areas under the National Committee will now be recognized as nationally significant. The following rules will apply:

•  Management and oversight of natural areas will be directly under the National Committee;
•  Establishment of new natural areas or expansion of existing ones will require legal authorization;
•  Termination or reduction of natural areas can only occur through resolutions of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis (Parliament) of Uzbekistan.

Local executive authorities may establish nature parks, ordered reserves, resort natural areas, and botanical gardens of local significance. For these areas:

•  Management and oversight will be handled by district or city administrations;
•  Termination or reduction of such areas will require decisions from the Jokargy Kenes of Karakalpakstan, regional or Tashkent city councils, or local deputies.