ТАSHKENT, April 1. /Dunyo IA/.  President Shavkat Mirziyoyev participated in a tree-planting event as part of the nationwide project “Yashil Makon” and initiated the creation of the National Dendrological Park, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

According to the press service of the Head of our State, speaking at the event, Leader of Uzbekistan mentioned that, for centuries, during Navruz celebrations and family gatherings, our compatriots have followed traditional practices by planting saplings in household yards, parks, alleys, and along roads, and by decorating these areas with flowers and fragrant plants.

Based on these noble values, the nationwide project “Yashil Makon” has been carried out over the past five years, during which 200 million saplings have been planted each year.

During this period, 942 green gardens and public parks have been established on more than 2,000 hectares, and New Uzbekistan gardens have been created across 47 locations. In the country’s mountainous, desert, and steppe regions, 256,000 hectares of forest have been planted. On the dried bed of the Aral Sea, protective forest plantations have been developed over 2 million hectares. To protect against the harmful effects of winds, dust, and sandstorms, a 60-kilometer-long green belt has been established in 33 districts.

Last year, modern nurseries were established in Khojayli, Yangibazar, Gijduvan, Baliqchi, and Akhangaran districts, enabling the annual cultivation of 5.5 million ornamental tree saplings. Additionally, to combat desertification, drawing on Chinese experience, drought-resistant halophyte parks were established for the first time this year on 50 hectares in Arnasay, Karakul, Mubarak, and Karmana districts, as well as in the city of Nukus. As noted, the halophyte seeds grown here will later help reduce soil salinity across thousands of hectares and boost land fertility.

Overall, in a short period, the level of greening in the country has increased from 8 to 14.2 percent. A new presidential decree signed last week sets an ambitious goal to raise the overall level of greening in the country to 30 percent and green space per capita to 10 square meters by 2030.

To this end, a green space will be created on 10,000 hectares in Surkhandarya region, and a green barrier stretching 84 kilometers in Syrdarya region. New forests will be established on 1 million hectares of desert land in Karakalpakstan, on 300 thousand hectares each in Navoi and Bukhara regions, and on 85 thousand hectares in Khorezm. Each regional hokim will also be responsible for creating botanical gardens and dendrological parks covering at least 100 hectares, as well as organizing at least 20 shaded walking alleys.

It was noted that, given current conditions in which environmental issues and public health are becoming more prominent, special attention is being paid to the International Center of Molecular Allergology’s recommendations on selecting and planting tree species suited to local conditions.

Starting this year, green technical schools will be established in each region, where 10,000 specialists are planned to be trained annually through dual education. Botanical gardens and dendrological parks will serve as practical training bases for students and as research platforms for scientists.

The President proposed increasing public and deputy involvement in the creation of local green spaces. Previously, under the “My Garden” program, up to 250 million UZS were allocated from the budget for each project. This amount will now be increased to 400 million UZS. Each green garden and public park will be allocated up to 1 hectare of land – on plots chosen by residents themselves, located near their homes, and importantly, equipped with a water supply. Starting this season, each deputy of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis will also receive 412 million UZS to establish a green zone and garden in their district.

The Head of State emphasized the importance of why such wise sayings exist among our people, like “A garden remains from a good deed”, “One sapling brings a thousand benefits”, and “If a child is born or you hold a wedding – plant a tree”. He pointed out that today, these national values are more relevant than ever.

In this regard, the President urged mahalla chairpersons, elders, women activists, and all active residents to more actively promote national customs, traditions, and values at the local level by establishing clubs and associations, and to lead efforts in planting saplings and flowers on every street, in every household, along roads, and in open areas with trees and shrubs.

In the capital, a National Dendrological Park is being developed on a 108-hectare area. As early as this year, facilities built on the principle of “science – project – practice”, including an in vitro laboratory, centers for medicinal plants, seed production, and breeding, will be operational.

The President expressed sincere gratitude to Ismail Belen, the Chair of the United Nations Forum on Forests, Juliette Biao, the Director of the Forum Secretariat, representatives of the diplomatic corps of foreign states in Uzbekistan, and all participants.

Following the event, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, along with the participants, planted ornamental saplings on the first 5 hectares of the National Dendrological Park. Meanwhile, approximately 21,000 citizens across all regions of the country planted 88,000 saplings on an additional 164 hectares.