Press conference: The forest is a gift of existence to us!
It is known that forests are an important component in improving the ecological situation in the republic, preventing its negative consequences, and preserving nature. In addition, local forestry companies perform tasks such as guarding and protecting existing forests, establishing protective forests against wind and soil erosion in mountain, desert, and valley regions depending on the climatic conditions and carrying out related activities. Our most important task is to preserve all the resources of the groves and bushes and pass them on to the next generation.
Different types of forests growing in all regions of the earth, as the "Giant Oxygen Factory" of our planet, constantly release oxygen into the earth's atmosphere, creating favorable conditions for human and all living organisms to live.
Until May 11, 2017, the Republican Forestry System operated as the General Directorate of Forestry within the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Management of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
In our republic, until 1990, the total forest fund had a land area of 2.5 million hectares, the area of forest plantations was 1.2 million hectares, and the number of forestry entities was 46.
Currently, the total land area of the forest fund is 11.8 million hectares, of which the forested land area is 3.4 million hectares, i.e. 7.7 percent.
In recent years, special attention has been paid to the forestry sector. In the words of the honorable President, "It is necessary to turn forestry into a major industry."
Large-scale reforms were carried out regarding the expansion of forest and shrubland areas, their protection, as well as the development of all parameters. Currently, the total area of the state forest fund is 12 million hectares. In particular, the accumulation of tree and shrub seeds during the past period averaged 100-140 tons annually, in 2017 it was 290 tons, and in 2023 it was 1,000 tons.
51 million of 40 types in 2017. if sprouts and seedlings were grown, in 2023 more than 70 species will be 120 mln. sprouts and seedlings were grown. There are 10 types of conifers, 26 types of fast-growing and deciduous trees, 15 types of fruit trees, 4 types of nut-bearing plants, 7 types of desert plants, and 13 types of various types of ornamental shrubs. In particular, cultivation of mulberry tree seedlings in 2017 cost 2.5 mln. if grains are grown, by now (2023) 32 million. delivered to the grain.
It is worth noting that every year forestry works are carried out on an area of 42-44 thousand hectares. In 2017, this indicator was implemented on a total of 46,900 hectares, and in 2022, 233,000 hectares (a 5-fold increase) were reforested and reforested.
Among them, in 2018, protective forests of drought-resistant desert plants were established on an area of 18,900 hectares in the dry bottom of the Aral Sea. As a result of large-scale works carried out in recent years (2018-2023), a total of 1.7 mln. "green covers" of desert plants such as saksovol, blackberry, cherkez, and kandym were newly established on the hectare area, and positive results were achieved.
Medicinal and edible plant species In 2017, 4,000 tons of raw materials were grown from 45 types of cultured plantations, and by today, 65 types of raw materials were grown for 9,000 tons.