Why is Tashkent's air increasingly polluted?
Uzbekistan
The Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan has named the causes of air pollution in the city of Tashkent.
According to the Ministry, the following factors influence the air pollution in the capital city:
1. Reduction of green spaces in Tashkent. In particular, about 49 thousand trees were illegally cut down during the moratorium period;
2. Carrying out construction works without approval of master plans for urban development. In particular, in Tashkent, despite the fact that a moratorium on construction works has been repeatedly declared, they are still continuing;
3. Increase in the number of vehicles. In particular, if in 2021 the number of vehicles in the country was 3.14 million, in 2023 their number will be 4.6 million (32% increase). On average, 730,000 vehicles move in Tashkent in one day, in addition, between 160,000 and 300,000 vehicles enter from the regions. Vehicles using A-80 petrol, which does not meet international standards, emit more harmful emissions than others;
4. Increase in traffic jams. In cities, the number of intersections of traffic and pedestrian traffic has not been reduced, the level of loading on highways has not been reduced, the cycle of regulating traffic flow and speed regime has not been optimised, and road traffic has not been properly organised. As a result, there are many traffic jams in Tashkent. A car standing in traffic emits more emissions than a moving car.
5. Increased utilisation of hydrocarbons, including coal. Specifically, while 3.9 million tonnes of coal was used in 2019, this number reaches 5.3 million tonnes in 2022 and 6.7 million tonnes by the end of 2023. This, in turn, leads to pollution of the environment, including atmospheric air, soil and water resources;
6. Use of fuel oil as additional fuel by heating centres. According to available data, in December, 3 thousand tonnes of fuel oil was used in 9 boiler houses of 6 heating centres in Tashkent city;
7. Natural factors. Air pollution in Tashkent is caused by wind direction and speed, air temperature, solar radiation, amount and duration of precipitation, temperature inversions (a layer of warm air preventing the diffusion of mixed particles vertically) and other natural factors. Tashkent is surrounded by mountains, so because the wind does not circulate, the dusty air stream remains in the city and cannot escape naturally.
1. Reduction of green spaces in Tashkent. In particular, about 49 thousand trees were illegally cut down during the moratorium period;
2. Carrying out construction works without approval of master plans for urban development. In particular, in Tashkent, despite the fact that a moratorium on construction works has been repeatedly declared, they are still continuing;
3. Increase in the number of vehicles. In particular, if in 2021 the number of vehicles in the country was 3.14 million, in 2023 their number will be 4.6 million (32% increase). On average, 730,000 vehicles move in Tashkent in one day, in addition, between 160,000 and 300,000 vehicles enter from the regions. Vehicles using A-80 petrol, which does not meet international standards, emit more harmful emissions than others;
4. Increase in traffic jams. In cities, the number of intersections of traffic and pedestrian traffic has not been reduced, the level of loading on highways has not been reduced, the cycle of regulating traffic flow and speed regime has not been optimised, and road traffic has not been properly organised. As a result, there are many traffic jams in Tashkent. A car standing in traffic emits more emissions than a moving car.
5. Increased utilisation of hydrocarbons, including coal. Specifically, while 3.9 million tonnes of coal was used in 2019, this number reaches 5.3 million tonnes in 2022 and 6.7 million tonnes by the end of 2023. This, in turn, leads to pollution of the environment, including atmospheric air, soil and water resources;
6. Use of fuel oil as additional fuel by heating centres. According to available data, in December, 3 thousand tonnes of fuel oil was used in 9 boiler houses of 6 heating centres in Tashkent city;
7. Natural factors. Air pollution in Tashkent is caused by wind direction and speed, air temperature, solar radiation, amount and duration of precipitation, temperature inversions (a layer of warm air preventing the diffusion of mixed particles vertically) and other natural factors. Tashkent is surrounded by mountains, so because the wind does not circulate, the dusty air stream remains in the city and cannot escape naturally.
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