Bosh muharrir: Sharipov Qo‘ng‘irotboy Avezimbetovich Bosh muharrir o‘rinbosari: Karimov Norboy G‘aniyevich

Mamadjonova Sarvinoz Sharifjonovna
PhD, Student, Westminster International University in Tashkent
Abstract:
This article provides an overview of the share of environmental management practices in Central Asia, focusing 
on protected areas’ establishment, waste management strategies in Uzbek regions, and the percentage of protected 
areas in Uzbekistan from 1950 to 2022 compared to other Central Asian countries. The findings offer valuable insights 
into environmental conservation and waste management policies, identifying areas of success and improvement oppor-
tunities.
Key words:
environment, sustainability, green economy, environmental management.
Annotatsiya:
Ushbu maqolada muhofaza etiladigan hududlarning ulushi, O‘zbekiston hududlarida chiqindilarni boshqar-
ish strategiyalari va 1950 yildan 2022-yilgacha bo‘lgan davrda O‘zbekistonda muhofaza etiladigan hududlar foizini bosh-
qa Markaziy Osiyo mamlakatlari bilan taqqoslashga qaratilgan Markaziy Osiyoda atrof-muhitni boshqarish amaliyotlari 
haqida umumiy ma’lumot berilgan. Topilmalar atrof-muhitni muhofaza qilish va chiqindilarni boshqarish siyosati bo‘yicha 
qimmatli g‘oyalarni taqdim etadi, muvaffaqiyatli amaliyotlar va takomillashtirish imkoniyatlarini ochib beradi.
Kalit so‘zlar:
atrof-muhit, barqarorlik, yashil iqtisodiyot, atrof-muhitni boshqarish.
Аннотация:
В данной статье представлен обзор практик управления окружающей средой в Центральной Азии с 
акцентом на процент охраняемых территорий, управление отходами в регионах Узбекистана и сравнении процен-
та охраняемых территорий в Узбекистане за период с 1950 по 2022 год с другими странами Центральной Азии. 
Полученные результаты предоставляют ценные идеи в области сохранения окружающей среды и политики управ-
ления отходами, выявляя области успешных практик и возможности для улучшения.
Ключевые слова:
окружающая среда, устойчивость, зеленая экономика, управление окружающей средой.
1 . I N T R O D U C T I O N
Effective environmental management is crucial for preserving natural resources and ensuring sustainable 
development (Hoang T, N., et al, 2020). In Uzbekistan, significant efforts have been made to establish protected 
areas and implement waste management strategies (United Nations, 2020). This article aims to provide a de-
tailed overview of environmental management in Uzbekistan, focusing on the establishment and management 
of protected areas and waste management practices across regions. By examining the percentage of protected 
areas in Uzbekistan in comparison to other Central Asian countries and evaluating waste management strate-
gies, the study sheds light on the country’s environmental conservation and sustainability initiatives.
2 . L I T E R A T U R E R E V I E W
The environmental management landscape in Uzbekistan has been shaped by historical and political con-
texts. During the Soviet era, environmental conservation was largely motivated by political factors, resulting in 
the establishment of protected areas without comprehensive management plans (Ilyosjon B., S., & Lutfillo, M., 
2021). After gaining independence in 1991, Uzbekistan faced challenges in adapting its environmental policies 
to suit its new economic and political realities (Bloch, P. C., 2002).

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Researchers like Tazim Jamal & Amanda Stronza (2009) have emphasized the importance of government 
agencies, NGOs, and international collaborations in establishing and managing protected areas. Additionally, 
studies by Jeffrey, D., et al., (2003) have highlighted the effectiveness of conservation efforts in preserving 
biodiversity, ecosystems, and cultural heritage within these protected areas.
Uzbekistan encounters several challenges in managing its protected areas, including insufficient funding, 
inadequate law enforcement, and limited public awareness. Ahn, Y.-J., & Juraev, Z. (2023) have investigated 
the social and economic barriers to effective protected area management and identified potential opportunities, 
such as community engagement, eco-tourism, and participatory approaches, to address these challenges.
Researchers like Bowen, K., et al., (2017) have emphasized the importance of integrated approaches, 
stakeholder engagement, and technological advancements to tackle emerging environmental challenges. The 
role of international cooperation and the adoption of best practices from other countries is crucial in shaping 
Uzbekistan’s environmental management strategies.
3 . M E T H O D S
The study adopts a comparative analysis approach to examine the percentage of strict nature reserves 
and national parks in Uzbekistan from 1950 to 2022. Data on protected areas will be collected from reliable 
sources, such as governmental reports from the Statistics Agency Under the President of the Republic of Uz-
bekistan and OECD databases. The percentage of protected areas in Uzbekistan will be compared to other 
Central Asian countries to provide a regional perspective on environmental conservation efforts.
To assess waste management practices, data will be gathered from the Open Data Portal of the Republic 
of Uzbekistan (https://olddata.gov.uz/uz/datasets/17081). Information regarding waste management regula-
tions will be evaluated, and quantitative data will be analyzed to identify trends and patterns in waste manage-
ment practices across different regions of Uzbekistan.
4 . R E S U LT S
Figure 1 provides information on Nature reserves in each Central Asian country, with Georgia included 
for comparison. Georgia garners considerable attention in Uzbekistan’s media space, frequently discussed 
as a tourist destination (Gazeta.uz., 2022), and holds historical ties to the Soviet Union. The figure illustrates 
Kyrgyzstan’s leadership in protecting its nature, while Uzbekistan lags behind with only 0.39% of total land 
dedicated to reserves. Interestingly, all countries experienced an increase in reserved lands during the 1970s, 
with Turkmenistan showing the most significant growth.
Figure 1:
Percent of nature reserves in Central Asia and Georgia from 1950–2022. Source: author, based oecd-
ilibrary.org 
[10]

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Figure 2 demonstrates the percentage of national parks for the same locations as Figure 1. Notably, Ta-
jikistan’s share of national parks surged from zero to 15% starting from the mid–90s. Other countries’ data are 
relatively close, except for Turkmenistan, which remains unavailable due to its closed political views. Georgia’s 
percentage of natural parks trails Tajikistan’s by approximately 10%, which is reasonable.
Figure 2:
Percent of national parks in Central Asia and Georgia from 1950–2022. Source: author, based oecd-
ilibrary.org 
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Figure 3 depicts waste management in Uzbekistan, revealing a contrast with the previous graphs. The ratio 
of population’s sanitary cleaning significantly outweighs the recycling degree of collected waste. While 90% of 
Uzbekistan’s population benefits from sanitary cleaning services, only 21.9% of waste is processed. Republic 
Karakalpakstan records one of the lowest shares for each variable, while Tashkent city boasts the highest rates 
in both indicators.
Figure 3:
Percent of household waste management in Uzbek Regions (6 months of 2021). Source: author, based on 
data from Open Data Portal of the Republic of Uzbekistan 
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5 . D I S C U S S I O N
The results of the comparative analysis reveal the percentage of strict nature reserves and national parks 
in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Georgia over the studied period. This 
analysis provides valuable insights into the country’s commitment to preserving its natural heritage and contrib-
utes to the regional understanding of protected areas in Central Asia.
Nature reserves and national parks play a crucial role in promoting sustainable development. These pro-
tected areas are vital for conserving biodiversity, safeguarding delicate ecosystems, and preserving natural re-
sources for future generations (Getzner, M., 2010). Designating specific regions as nature reserves or national 
parks ensures they remain undisturbed, allowing flora and fauna to thrive in their natural habitats (Wood, M., 
2002). Controlled access to these sites helps manage human activities, reducing environmental impact while 
offering opportunities for ecotourism and environmental education. Responsible management and conserva-
tion efforts in nature reserves and national parks contribute significantly to sustainable development, balancing 
environmental protection, economic growth, and social well-being (Getzner, M., 2010).
The assessment of waste management practices across Uzbek regions highlights the current state of 
waste collection, recycling, and disposal. The findings identify successful waste management strategies and 
areas requiring improvement, providing valuable insights for future policy decisions and interventions. Waste 
recycling emerges as a critical aspect, offering the potential to address environmental concerns and foster eco-
nomic growth (Salmenperä, H., 2021). Efficient recycling systems can significantly contribute to waste reduc-
tion and resource conservation. By encouraging recycling initiatives and supporting recycling industries’ devel-
opment, Uzbekistan can create new economic opportunities and promote a more sustainable circular economy.
6 . C O N C L U S I O N 
This article provides a comprehensive overview of environmental management in Uzbekistan, focusing 
on protected areas and waste management practices. The analysis of protected areas offers insights into the 
country’s efforts in conserving natural habitats and biodiversity. The assessment of waste management practi-
ces highlights the current state of waste disposal and recycling initiatives across different regions of Uzbekistan.
The findings contribute to the understanding of environmental conservation efforts and waste management 
strategies in Uzbekistan. Policymakers, environmental authorities, and stakeholders can utilize these results to 
design and implement effective environmental management practices, promoting sustainability and preserving 
Uzbekistan’s natural resources for future generations. Furthermore, the data obtained from the assessment will 
guide targeted interventions and investment in regions where waste management practices require improve-
ment, facilitating a comprehensive and environmentally responsible waste management approach nationwide. 
As Uzbekistan continues its pursuit of sustainable development, waste recycling remains a crucial pillar in 
achieving both environmental protection and economic advancement.