Instead of the "green belt" that should have appeared in the space view of Tashkent, a different landscape is gradually emerging. The map published by the Ecology Committee shows that thousands of greenhouses selling greens and growing fruits and vegetables are located around the capital. But the problem is that a significant part of them are far from being environmentally friendly.
The truth behind the deceptive "green circle"
According to last year's report by the former Ministry of Ecology, about 60% of greenhouses around Tashkent operate on coal. The map clearly shows this extremely large scale, showing the "grey ring" surrounding the capital in a semicircle.
That is, instead of "green zones" intended to protect nature and clean the air on the outskirts of the city, hundreds of greenhouses that emit coal smoke have appeared.
Why is this dangerous?
Coal-fired greenhouses:
• emits a large amount of harmful substances into the atmosphere;
• increases air pollution in Tashkent several times during the winter inversion;
• negatively affects the respiratory tract, heart, and general health of the population;
• poses a serious threat to the long-term sustainability of the urban environment.
The bright red numbers on the map are not just symbols, but smoke, dust, and hazardous additives emitted into the air as separate sources. These factors have led to a sharp deterioration in air quality in Tashkent in recent years.
What should be done?
Officials emphasized that reforms must begin with the following measures:
• gradual replacement of coal in greenhouses with gas or electricity;
• application of strict sanctions against facilities that violate environmental requirements;
• relocation of greenhouses within the established sanitary distance from the city;
• provision of subsidies for alternative energy sources;
• adoption of new regulatory documents regulating greenhouse clusters.
Delaying change means increasing the risk
For a 3 million-strong metropolis like Tashkent, air quality is vitally important. If measures are not taken today, the consequences of the "grey ring" will be a serious blow not only to the environment, but also to public health, quality of life, and the economy.
The consequence of neglecting nature is the same as on a map - it darkens the surroundings. Protecting the city begins with every decision, every step, and every source of cleanliness.
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