An Environmental Police will be established in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan will have an eco-police that will monitor compliance with legislation in the fields of ecology, environmental protection, and forestry, according to the presidential decree.

The National Committee’s State Environmental Control Inspectorate will appear in the country. The Ecological Police will include 40 staff positions in the areas of oversight of compliance with legislation in the fields of ecology, environmental protection, and forestry in Karakalpakstan, regions, and the city of Tashkent. It will also include employees of the State Inspectorate for Environmental Control of the Ministry of Ecology and regional special prosecutor’s offices.

It is noted that the ecopolis will be a special unit of the Committee on Ecology, endowed with separate law enforcement tasks in the field of ensuring environmental safety and preventing offenses in this area. It will also be able to create its own territorial subdivisions without considering the boundaries of administrative-territorial units within the boundaries of natural ecological territories.

The document also allows eco-police officers to use physical force, special means, such as electroshock devices, and service weapons with rubber or mesh bullets. In addition, body cameras will be installed on their special uniforms.

In addition, starting from April 1, 2026, a new procedure for applying financial sanctions to legal entities for violation of environmental legislation is being introduced. In particular, now financial sanctions in the form of a fine will be applied only to legal entities. At the same time, it will be impossible to apply administrative penalties to legal entities for the same offense for which they have already been fined.

Earlier, it was reported that Uzbekistan would abolish the Ministry of Ecology and create two new organizations based on it, expanding their responsibilities. On its basis, the Tourism Committee and the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change will be established, while maintaining staff positions.