How can air quality in Uzbekistan be improved?
Air pollution in Uzbekistan, as in most other Central Asian countries, is becoming a serious environmental problem. Unless urgent action is taken to improve air quality, Uzbekistan may face even greater risks.
Polluted air and massive tree felling have already caused serious problems that affect many people. Rising chronic respiratory diseases are not just statistics, but the real price people pay for inaction and mistakes. The economy suffers just as much, with loss of labor, rising medical costs, and a country’s development hindered by a disregard for basic environmental principles.
According to World Bank estimates, air pollution from PM2.5 in Tashkent could lead to about 3,000 premature deaths annually, with welfare losses estimated at US$488.4 million7 per year. This is stated in the Tashkent Air Quality Assessment 2024 report.
In an interview with CABAR.asia, Aziz Uzakov, an otorhinolaryngologist from Tashkent and a member of the American Academy of Head and Neck Surgery, told CABAR.asia that the number of patients with allergic respiratory diseases has increased significantly recently due to deteriorating air quality in Uzbekistan and its neighboring countries.
‘Unfortunately, allergic rhinitis is a very topical problem today. This disease affects one in three people, and given the environmental condition of our and neighboring countries, requests to otorhinolaryngologists are becoming more and more frequent. Many patients come with such symptoms, and in some cases the disease can even recur, requiring surgical intervention, although surgery does not always help,’ Uzakov said.
He noted that the problem is not only that there are more patients, but that the disease is ‘getting younger’. And this is alarming.
According to him, the number of children suffering from allergic rhinitis has increased significantly. Already from the age of two, children begin to complain about such diseases.
The problem is not always related to a weak immune system, as many believe. It is primarily since PM 2.5 particles are in the air all the time and are the cause of many diseases, the doctor emphasized.
‘The main difficulty is that although medication can give temporary relief, as soon as it is stopped, the symptoms return. This is because pollutants are constantly present in the air and irritation of the mucous membranes continues. Because of this, patients are often forced to use the medication for years,’ Uzakov said.
According to the World Bank report mentioned above, the main sources of pollution in Uzbekistan are industrial enterprises, such as metallurgical plants, cement production and coal-fired power plants. These enterprises emit significant amounts of PM2.5 particulate matter, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, worsening air quality, especially in large cities.
Elena Shek, a resident of Almalyk, a city in the Tashkent region of Uzbekistan where the country’s largest steel plant, AGMK (Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Combine), is located, confirmed this in an interview for CABAR.asia and described how they experience air pollution in their city.
‘When our city above AGMK emits exhausts, gas, as far as I understand, it is impossible to breathe in the city. You stretch out your arm and you can’t see the tips of your fingers. You start coughing horribly, up to vomiting, tears flow from your eyes, your lungs seem to ‘burn’ from inside. The air is horrible. It’s a disaster,’ says Elena Shek.
According to her observations, many patients in oncological hospitals are Almalyk residents.
‘When guests from Russia came to visit me, they left the city on the third day because they couldn’t stand the air – they started coughing terribly,’ the woman said.
The transport sector is also a major source of air pollution in Uzbekistan, producing about 16% of the country’s total PM2.5 emissions, according to the World Bank.
Obsolete vehicles using low-quality fuel significantly worsen the air quality in major cities.
This report and its Roadmap suggest possible solutions to improve the situation with polluted air, including modernization of enterprises, introduction of filters and other air purification technologies at enterprises, conversion of coal-fired power plants to natural gas, development and conversion of public transport to electric vehicles and other steps requiring huge investments.
Pavel Volkov, an expert on the environment from Tashkent and founder of NGO Indigo specializing in environment and biosphere protection, told CABAR.asia in an interview what practical steps can be taken to improve air quality in Uzbekistan without huge investments.
First of all, Volkov suggests paying attention to the creation of green areas in cities and districts of the country, paying attention to the preservation of old green areas in cities and villages of the country.
‘The reduction of forests and green areas intensifies other environmental problems. Green spaces fulfil the function of filtering air, retaining moisture in the soil and preventing erosion. Their reduction leads to poor air quality, desertification and loss of biodiversity,’ he says.
Greening programs, such as the planting of saxaul on the Aral Plateau, which have an extremely positive effect on air quality, should be continued.
‘For example, planting saxaul on the Aral Plateau helps fight soil salinization, reduces dust storms and helps create conditions for further greening,’ he said.
Special attention should be paid to preserving the old green fund, which in Uzbekistan has suffered greatly due to improper pruning, the expert said. City services often remove more than 30 per cent of tree branches, which weakens and kills trees. A tree is a living organism, and its weakening causes disease and pest infestation.
It is necessary to implement programs to restore the adult green fund, as well as to carry out systematic planting of new trees. A balance between preserving existing plantations and creating new ones is the key to improving the ecology and quality of life.
The effectiveness of plants in cleaning the air depends on the amount of foliage: the more foliage, the better. However, it is also important to consider the cleanliness of the foliage. Trees growing along roadsides are covered in dust, which reduces their ability to absorb carbon dioxide.
Plants also trap dust on their surface, preventing it from reaching the human lungs. In addition, greenery absorbs harmful chemical compounds such as nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide, making it essential for improving air quality.
However, diversity of tree types is important when planting.
“Experiments with non-native species are permissible, but they should not become mass. Native plants are better adapted to the conditions of the region, although with the right approach individual foreign species can also show good results,’ Volkov said.
Mass planting of vegetation and reducing the use of transport are important steps towards improving the ecological situation. However, these actions are not enough to significantly reduce air pollution. A comprehensive strengthening of measures aimed at restoring environmental balance is needed, which may include preventing soil degradation, fighting erosion and thoughtful use of natural resources.
Proper agronomic practices and timely action can enhance the positive effects. Any greening program, if properly implemented, will certainly improve air quality.
The ability of ecosystems to filter air and trap dust is negatively affected by the loss of biodiversity.
‘All elements of nature are connected, and any loss disrupts that balance. For example, the extinction of one species can lead to the disruption of food chains and consequently ecological functions,’ the ecologist said.
He cited a Chinese story that illustrates this principle. The eradication of sparrows as part of a food program had led to an uncontrolled increase in insect pests, which had caused damage to agriculture. This example emphasizes the need to respect nature and the importance of biodiversity conservation.
‘Biodiversity is the foundation of ecosystem health, and its loss will inevitably degrade the quality of human life. Restoring biodiversity is a task of national importance that requires a long-term approach and investment,’ Volkov said.
The development of mobile phones is also affecting biodiversity, especially insects, which are losing their ability to orientate themselves. This leads to their extinction, which disturbs the ecosystem balance. Therefore, it is necessary to approach the issues of technology wisely to minimize its impact on nature, he also noted.
Pavel Volkov believes that every person can contribute to the improvement of ecology. For this purpose, it is necessary to reduce the use of disposable plastic, to consume water rationally, to participate in environmental initiatives.
‘People should realize that ecology is their habitat. The formation of ecological culture requires a return to the traditions of careful attitude to nature. This will not only improve the ecological situation, but also strengthen the human connection with the environment,’ he said.
Ecology is not only a matter of conservation but also an economic benefit.
‘Clean land, water and air affect public health, development of tourism and other industries. Investments in ecology will pay off in the future, so such projects should be prioritized,’ Volkov said.
Unless drastic measures are taken right now, the situation will only worsen. Half-measures and temporary solutions will not save the situation. We need tough action: a ban on cutting down trees, control over pollution sources and an immediate switch to environmentally friendly technologies. Otherwise, there is a risk of leaving future generations a country in which it will be difficult not only to live but also to breathe, the ecologist said.