According to the Law "On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan," changes and additions are being made to certain articles of the Code of Administrative Responsibility.

The goal is to strengthen the responsibility for offenses related to the illegal felling of trees and shrubs. In particular, according to the proposed amendments to Article 79 of the Administrative Responsibility Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the fine for illegal felling, uprooting, damaging, destroying, or transplanting of trees, shrubs, and other plants is increased to 25-50 BRV for individuals (currently 5-10 BRVs), and 50-75 BRVs for legal entities (currently 10-15 BRVs).

In the case of repeated similar offenses within a year after the imposition of administrative penalties, the items used to commit the administrative offenses will be confiscated, and individuals will be fined an amount ranging from 50 to 75 BRVs (currently 10-20 BRVs). Officials will be fined from 75 to 100 BRVs or face administrative detention for up to 15 days (currently a fine ranging from 20 BRVs).

Article 79 is also supplemented with paragraph 4, according to which officials involved in the development of project documentation leading to the felling, damaging, or destruction of valuable tree species and shrubs will be fined an amount ranging from 50 to 75 BRVs.

In addition, two paragraphs have been added to Article 49 of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. 543-I "On the Protection and Use of the Plant World" dated December 26, 1997.

According to paragraph 1 of Article 49, offenders who illegally fell or destroy valuable tree species and shrubs not included in the state forest fund are required to replace each tree and shrub with 100 saplings of trees and shrubs of no less value at the site where the felled plant was located. This is provided by the initiative of the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change, according to which the violator will plant trees at their own expense and take care of them for 3 years. If there is insufficient land on the site for planting tree and shrub saplings, the remaining saplings will be planted in another location within the corresponding administrative-territorial unit.

The cost of illegally felled or destroyed trees and shrubs, the types of saplings to be planted on the site, as well as the procedure for determining the planting period and location, are determined by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

According to Article 49(2), legal entities that illegally fell and destroy valuable tree species and shrubs not included in the state forest fund are subject to a fine ranging from 100 to 300 BRVs.

The law aimed at tightening the responsibility for administrative offenses related to the illegal felling of trees and shrubs is being submitted for approval to the Senate.