New penalty measures are being introduced in Uzbekistan to prevent air pollution and protect the environment. The relevant law, signed by the President on May 4, will come into effect on August 5.
Under the new regulations, burning non-fuel materials and various types of waste in open flames in unauthorized areas is classified as an offense. These changes were made to Article 88 of the Code of Administrative Responsibility regarding air pollution.
According to the law, it is prohibited to burn fuel, substances that can be used as fuel or their mixtures, non-fuel materials, and waste in open flames in unintended places and without special equipment.
Furthermore, burning materials such as tires, bitumen, fuel oil, films, synthetic cardboard, and rubber as fuel in greenhouses, production buildings, and combustion devices is also considered an offense. This is because burning such substances releases smoke and chemical compounds harmful to human health and nature.
Fine amounts have also been set for the new violations. For a first-time offense, citizens may face a fine ranging from 15 to 25 times the base calculation amount, which is between 6.18 million and 10.3 million soums.
For officials, the penalty is even stricter. They will be fined between 25 and 50 times the base calculation amount, ranging from 10.3 million to 20.6 million soums.
If this offense is repeated within one year after the application of an administrative penalty, the fine amount increases. In such cases, citizens may pay between 10.3 million and 20.6 million soums, while officials may pay between 20.6 million and 28.84 million soums.
Experts note that uncontrolled burning of waste negatively affects air quality, poses a risk to public health, and worsens the ecological situation. Harmful gases are released, especially when plastic, rubber, tires, fuel oil, and synthetic materials are burned.
In short, starting August 5, burning waste and non-fuel materials anywhere will be quite costly. The goal here is not just fines, but keeping the air clean, protecting people's health, and strengthening environmental responsibility. The era of treating nature as a 'stove' is ending — now every puff of smoke has a consequence.
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