“Cosmos” issues warning to Uzbeks over straw burning

The Uzcosmos Agency for Space Research and Technologies, operating under the Ministry of Digital Technologies, has issued a formal warning to the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change regarding widespread illegal burning of straw in fields across Uzbekistan.

According to the agency, thousands of such incidents have been detected nationwide through satellite monitoring. The burning of straw and crop residues on post-harvest fields has led to alarming consequences: the degradation of thousands of hectares of fertile land, deterioration of soil structure, depletion of essential macro- and micronutrients, and a sharp decline in agricultural productivity.

In response, the agency has strongly urged all residents, particularly farmers and entrepreneurs, to refrain from engaging in such environmentally damaging practices.

For reference, under Part 3 of Article 88 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (violation of air protection regulations), individuals found guilty of straw burning may face fines of up to ten times the basic calculation amount. Additionally, economic penalties are imposed for each hectare of farmland damaged, in line with current legislation. If the damage is substantial, offenders may be subject to criminal liability.

Uzcosmos emphasized that these violations also reflect non-compliance with environmental protection standards for lands allocated to agricultural enterprises. Satellite surveillance is ongoing, and any detected violations are promptly reported to law enforcement bodies.

“We would like to remind our so-called ‘hardworking’ farmers and entrepreneurs that the illegal burning of straw residues is being monitored daily by the Uzcosmos Agency using satellite imagery. All relevant data is immediately forwarded to law enforcement agencies,” the statement said.