Take that, in-laws... A decision made without public discussion, or how the government gifted Chorvoq to the Agalarovs

While Minister of Ecology Aziz Abdukhakimov and his advisor Rasul Kusherbayev have stated that the construction project has not yet been submitted for an environmental review and that work will not begin without ministerial approval, the government has recently approved the “Sea Breeze Uzbekistan” project. This development, which has raised concerns among many, especially residents of the capital, effectively renders the positions of the Ministry of Ecology and the Ministry of Construction meaningless.

The “Sea Breeze Uzbekistan” tourism project, planned for the shore of the Chorvak reservoir in the Bostanlyk district of Tashkent region, will proceed despite public, environmental, and media opposition.

The fact that the Cabinet of Ministers issued a special resolution to authorize this project underscores the seriousness of the investor, “Agalarov Development.”

According to the resolution, the joint venture “Sea Breeze Uzbekistan,” which includes Azerbaijan-based “Agalarov Development” LLC on one side, submitted the winning proposal. However, it remains unclear which other companies submitted proposals or who represents the other half of the joint venture.

The resolution allocates 577 hectares of land—worth \$5 billion—to the project. This is prime, fertile, and largely inaccessible land in the Tashkent region, where private land ownership is virtually unattainable. Current landowners, users, and tenants will have their rights annulled, and the land will be declared vacant. In effect, a forced land survey will be conducted. The land will then be transferred to the district administration and leased to “Sea Breeze Uzbekistan” LLC for 25 years. Compensation to displaced parties will come from a \$5 million payment by the company to the regional budget and other sources. Many recall how the “Tashkent City” project displaced neighborhoods and created an exclusive urban space. Today, regular residents can only walk around or take photos there—living, shopping, or dining in the area remains out of reach for most.

The resolution also states that “Sea Breeze Uzbekistan” will have priority rights to extend the lease upon expiration. This means the company could retain control until at least 2050. This priority right is just one of the many benefits granted by the government.

An appraisal determined the market value of a 25-year lease for the 577 hectares to be 1.7 trillion soums. Yet, while daily rentals in Chorvak cottages fetch thousands of dollars, the land is being leased at a significantly undervalued rate. The name and credibility of the valuation firm remain unknown.

Even more startling is the application of a 0.01 discount factor, reducing the lease to just 17 billion soums, payable over five years. This means “Sea Breeze Uzbekistan” is essentially leasing this strategic land for a negligible sum—a mere fraction of its actual value.

Economist Otabek Bakirov questioned the logic and fairness of the lease terms, pointing out that Agalarov is constructing a commercial enterprise, not a public hospital.

The joint venture is also allowed to sublease the land and facilities in smaller plots. While the government provides massive incentives for this \$5 billion project, it remains uncertain whether local entrepreneurs or the broader public will benefit. Concerns have already emerged that the area will become an exclusive enclave for the wealthy, inaccessible to ordinary citizens.

One of the most contentious aspects of the project is the risk of wastewater discharge into local drinking water sources. The resolution mandates the Ministry of Investments, Industry and Trade, along with the regional administration and the Charvak tourist zone directorate, to conclude an investment agreement with the company within two months. The agreement states that no waste or wastewater may be discharged into the Chorvak reservoir or the Chirchik River, and that wastewater must be directed to the Chirchik city treatment plant. Violations could result in suspension of the project and revocation of the lease.

Rasul Kusherbayev has stated, "The investor will build a modern water recycling system at its own expense. However, eco-activist Mutabar Khushvakhtova has questioned whether the Chirchik facility can handle the additional load or whether emergency protocols are in place."

The resolution raises serious questions about the consultation process. It is unclear which experts were involved and what assessments were made prior to project approval.

Officials have claimed that the public’s opinion was taken into account, but the resolution—No. 490, dated August 1, 2025—was published on regulation.gov.uz without public discussion. This casts doubt on claims of transparency and citizen participation.

Bakirov questioned whether the ecological requirement mentioned—discharging wastewater into sewers—was sufficient. He argued that such a basic requirement does not justify the project's approval and that the Agalarovs face minimal risk, retaining the option to withdraw without penalty.

The resolution also assigns responsibilities to various government bodies. Within two weeks, the Charvak zone directorate must grant “Sea Breeze Uzbekistan” participant status. The Ministry of Investments, Industry and Trade must, by January 1, 2026, attract loans and investments to build infrastructure including roads, water, electricity, and communications, and a new bridge across the reservoir.

The resolution promises strict environmental controls, including compliance with protected zone regulations and monitoring by the Ministries of Ecology and Construction, and the Prosecutor General’s Office.

An inventory of trees in the project area must be completed within a month, classifying them into valuable, less valuable, or dead categories. While tree transplantation has been approved for valuable species, local experts argue this method is ill-suited to Uzbekistan’s climate. Less valuable trees will either be transplanted or replaced at a 1:10 ratio. Dead trees will be felled. Given the country's ongoing water crisis, critics question the logic of such a large-scale transplantation project.

The Charvak hydroelectric station was originally built after the 1966 Tashkent earthquake to meet growing electricity demands. Since the 2000s, the area has been developed into a recreational zone. Some of the land allocated to the Sea Breeze project—specifically in the Yakkatut neighborhood—was used by the former Soyuzmishyak plant between 1938 and 1946 for industrial waste disposal. Local authorities deny health risks, but the lack of mention of potential environmental hazards in the resolution has raised public concern.

Deputy Prosecutor General Samadov has been tasked with overseeing the project’s compliance with environmental and urban planning laws. Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodzhaev, Minister of Ecology Abdukhakimov, and Deputy Prosecutor General Samadov bear personal responsibility for the project’s implementation.

The text of the decision reveals that significant privileges have been granted to “Sea Breeze Uzbekistan.” While assurances have been made about wastewater treatment, the actual implementation—especially regarding tree relocation, compensation to locals, environmental risks, and the nearby Margimush Cemetery—remains uncertain.