In Qashqadaryo, a factory caused over 480 million soums in environmental damage by illegally cutting down 33 trees and nearly 3,000 shrubs.

It has been discovered that a private factory operating in the Yakkabog‘ district of the Qashqadaryo region extracted coal from the Zarmaz coal mine without the necessary permits. Furthermore, during the construction of an access road to the mine, 33 trees and approximately 3,000 shrubs were uprooted. As a result, the damage caused to the environment has exceeded 480 million soums.

According to reports, officials from the private factory "Mega Asia Salt and Quartz" used a permit granted solely for geological exploration to illegally extract and sell coal from the Zarmaz coal mine.

During an operation conducted jointly by the Operational-Search Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and officers from the Qashqadaryo Regional Internal Affairs Directorate, it was revealed that an employee of the enterprise had agreed to sell 500 tons of illegally extracted coal for 350 million soums. The individual was caught red-handed while accepting 50 million soums as part of the payment.

Additionally, it was found that under the pretext of constructing a road to the mine, 24 Zarafshan junipers, 9 honeysuckle trees, and nearly 3,000 shrubs were uprooted. Currently, a criminal case has been initiated regarding this matter, and preliminary investigative actions are being carried out.