In recent months, the issue of air quality in Tashkent has become a focus of public attention. Some news outlets and social media reported that emissions from greenhouses located on the Kazakh side of the border may be one of the causes of the Tashkent smog. This suggestion has sparked widespread controversy as environmental issues directly affect the health of millions of people.
However, environmental experts believe the problem is far more complex and multifaceted than it initially appears.
How has the environmental situation developed
Over the past seven to eight years, Uzbekistan has experienced significant changes. Active urban development, population growth, the construction of new residential buildings, and the expansion of transport infrastructure have all increased the burden on the environment.
In Tashkent and other major Uzbek cities, the vehicle fleet has grown significantly, new industrial facilities have been opened, and hundreds of greenhouses have been constructed around the capital. Many of them use solid fuel for heating, which increases winter emissions.
Urban development also impacts air circulation: the lack of an approved master plan for Tashkent and booming construction have led to a reduction in green spaces, which traditionally act as a natural filter. Natural gas shortages during the heating season also play a role, with many residents switching to burning coal.
An analysis shows that air quality in Uzbek regions bordering Kazakhstan is better than in some Uzbek cities. For example, in Parkent, located closer to the Kazakh border, air pollution levels are traditionally lower than in Tashkent.
If the main contribution to air pollution were indeed coming from outside, the situation would be different: border areas would record worse air quality indicators, not better ones. Moreover, in recent years, smog has increased not only in Tashkent, but also in Samarkand and Jizzakh—cities located far from the border with Kazakhstan.
This makes experts believe that smog in Tashkent is caused by internal reasons.
Why do information disputes arise?
Ecology is a sensitive topic for society. When air quality noticeably deteriorates, people begin searching for explanations. Under such circumstances, any explanation—from natural factors to external influences—is widely accepted.
Experts emphasize that to discuss the transboundary transfer of air pollution, comprehensive scientific research is needed, including analysis of the chemical composition of particles, air flow modeling, and comparison of data from monitoring stations on both sides of the border. Currently, there is no such evidence.
Resolving the issue
The environmental agenda should unite, not divide, countries in the region. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan already cooperate on water and energy issues, and ecology could become another area of such interaction.
Experts suggest:
• developing joint air monitoring programs in border areas;
• exchanging data and research results;
• coordinating measures to reduce emissions;
• implementing modern filtration technologies in both industry and the greenhouse sector.
This approach will help reduce public anxiety and foster a more objective understanding of the situation.
Conclusion
Air pollution is not anyone’s fault, but a reflection of complex processes related to urbanization, economic development, and climate conditions. It is now clear that environmental challenges in Uzbekistan are primarily the result of internal factors, and their solution requires a comprehensive approach.
At the same time, open and good-neighborly dialogue between countries in the region can strengthen trust and help find joint solutions that will benefit all residents of Central Asia.
