The draft law, adopted on July 22, introduces amendments to the Land Code aimed at strengthening legal safeguards for forest lands.
Under the proposed changes, forest fund lands will be classified as specially protected areas. Any transfer of such land to another category will require a presidential decision. At present, such reclassification is carried out under procedures approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
Khayrullo Gapparov, chairman of the Committee on Ecology and Environmental Protection, said the bill had been revised after its first reading. Among the changes, the wording requiring a presidential "order" was replaced with “decision.”
Lawmakers said the legislation is expected to strengthen the protection of forests, support the expansion of forested areas and help preserve ecological sustainability.
The bill passed its main reading with 106 votes in favor, while three lawmakers did not vote.
During its third reading, the draft was merged with another bill that systematizes land leases for non-residents and extends lease terms. The combined legislation received 102 votes in favor, with one lawmaker abstaining and six not voting.
The vote comes less than a month after a separate law strengthening liability for environmental violations entered into force on June 28. Signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in March, the legislation introduced tougher penalties for the unlawful allocation and development of forest fund lands.
Under the law, individuals face fines ranging from 50 to 100 base calculating amounts, currently UZS 20.6–41.2 million, increasing to UZS 22–44 million from September 1. Officials are subject to fines of 100–200 base calculation amounts, equivalent to UZS 41.2–82.4 million at current rates and UZS 44–88 million after the increase takes effect.
The law also raised penalties for other forestry-related violations. For example, breaches of fire safety regulations in forests are now punishable by fines of up to 25 base calculation amounts for individuals, currently UZS 10.3 million, rising to UZS 11 million from September 1, and up to 75 base calculation amounts for officials, increasing from UZS 30.9 million to UZS 33 million.
