Uzbekistan reminds of fine up to 4.4 million soums for burning stalks and leaves

As explained by the committee, burning plant residues in agricultural fields is prohibited by law. The offender is punishable by an administrative fine of up to 10 base calculation values. If the fire damages crops, economic measures of influence will be additionally applied to the guilty parties, the amount of which depends on the damage caused to each hectare.

According to the agency, when stalks, branches and leaves burn, carbon monoxide, nitrogen and sulfur oxides, nitrogen dioxide, benz(a)pyrene, dioxins, dibenzofurans, phosgene and other compounds hazardous to humans and nature are released into the air. The fire also destroys the macro- and microelements contained in the soil, and the land loses its fertility.

Instead of burning, the committee advises using plant residues for compost, mulch for seedlings or animal feed.

The head of the laboratory of the Scientific Research Institute of Forestry under the committee, Jamshid Temirov, told Podrobno.uz that healthy leaves, grass and small branches are suitable for compost. They need to be crushed, cleaned of debris and laid out in layers, alternating raw greenery with dry leaves and branches, and then periodically turned over, without allowing either drying out or excess moisture.