Is the controversial “Charvak” project in danger?

Azerbaijani businessman Emin Agalarov’s company, Agalarov Development, plans to build a large tourist complex called "Sea Breeze Uzbekistan" on the shores of the Charvak reservoir in the Tashkent region. However, the project has sparked significant backlash on social media and among the general public. Activists fear that the construction could harm the environment and threaten Tashkent’s crucial source of drinking water.

Eco-blogger Oʻrikguli (Muʻtabar Khushvakhtova) has gained widespread attention for a video in which she gathers expert and influencer opinions about the "Sea Breeze Uzbekistan" project. The video, which has been viewed more than 1.4 million times on Instagram, highlights concerns that any mistake during the construction process or pollution of the Charvak reservoir could leave Tashkent residents without their only reliable source of drinking water. At the same time, Rasul Kusherbayev, an advisor to the Minister of Ecology, also voiced strong opposition to the project.

“I am against any construction around the Charvak reservoir. I am completely opposed not only to Sea Breeze, but also to the development of hotels, separate recreation zones, boat rides, and other leisure activities nearby. The more we protect Charvak, the longer we live. The more we pollute it, the more we neglect it, the more we risk losing it—and with it, our future,” said the former deputy.

In response to the backlash, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change Aziz Abdukhakimov and businessman Emin Agalarov organized a press tour at the "Sea Breeze Baku" complex in Azerbaijan. During the tour, they assured Uzbek media representatives that the tourist zone planned for Charvak would not negatively impact the environment.

Emin Agalarov stated that similar concerns were raised by activists during the development of the "Sea Breeze Baku" project in Azerbaijan, but the resort was successfully completed. He believes the same outcome is possible in Uzbekistan, where local residents will be able to enjoy the facilities and have free access to the area. According to Agalarov, guests at "Sea Breeze Baku" are given special bracelets allowing them free access to the beach, and the same system is planned for future projects, including those at Issyk-Kul and Charvak.

“You know, we’ve already been through this in Azerbaijan. When we began the Sea Breeze project, we faced the same questions: What will happen to the beach? Will it be closed or open? What will be built? We went through all of that, and now Sea Breeze is one of the most prestigious resorts in Azerbaijan. Local residents, especially those from nearby areas such as Nordaran and Kurdakhani, can access it completely free of charge,” Agalarov said.

The businessman also acknowledged that the Charvak reservoir is already facing environmental challenges, pointing out that sewage waste is currently flowing directly into the water. To address this, he proposed installing collector pipes around the reservoir—an approach he said has proven effective in Azerbaijan. The project is planned to be constructed at a distance of 500 meters from the water, with both paid and free beaches available to serve the public equally. Private vehicles will not be allowed in the area, and the buildings will be equipped with solar panels.

"Regarding environmental concerns, many people are commenting things like 'you’re polluting the water.' But the reality is that Charvak is already at risk. The water quality is deteriorating year by year. Sewage is not being collected, irregular construction is taking place, and now a Shambo system is in use—a method that drains toilet water into the ground. We use eco-friendly materials. There will be official inspections before construction and during commissioning. The beach will feature sidewalks, bicycles, and golf carts. In addition, we will install solar panels on the roofs of 45 buildings," Agalarov explained.

He also clarified why Charvak was chosen as the location for the project, and he pledged to solve the sewage issue, plant 10 million trees, and carry out the project in full compliance with environmental, fire safety, and urban planning standards. According to him, similar Sea Breeze projects are already underway in Kazakhstan, Turkey, and Montenegro.

Minister of Ecology Aziz Abdukhakimov stated that once the project is completed, it will be under Uzbekistan’s management. He emphasized that this development would ensure that money spent on leisure stays within the country, rather than flowing abroad.

"Every year, our citizens spend nearly \$2 billion on vacations abroad. With this project, a portion of that money will remain in Uzbekistan. Conditions will also be created for our own population. And I would emphasize one principle: let’s build in one place, not everywhere. Construction should be concentrated and organized,” the minister said.

He also addressed the widespread concern that the resort will cater only to the wealthy and exclude ordinary citizens. According to the minister, the resort will be accessible to the general public.

“To generate income, yes, there needs to be something that attracts the wealthy. But that alone won’t make the project viable. If the resort doesn’t also serve mass tourism, it will fail. There’s no point in building something like this just for four rich people—it wouldn’t be sustainable. Honestly, we couldn’t even afford to buy 500 hectares of land just for that. This project is for the broader population—ordinary people, teachers, doctors, medical workers. While it may not be accessible to everyone in the country, it will definitely appeal to the people of Tashkent,” said Abdukhakimov.