Several factories shut down in Navoi for violating pollution standards, Navoiyazot and others face penalties

Additional inspections across Navoi

A second phase of inspections was launched to assess and improve the overall ecological situation in Navoi. Three working groups are examining 168 industrial enterprises in the city and its surroundings.

So far, 42 companies have been investigated. Cases have been prepared for court to impose fines on officials who violated environmental regulations.

Moreover, 22 other companies were also ordered to suspend operations due to severe violations, including lacking environmental expertise, failing to meet land, water, and air protection standards, and creating unauthorized waste sites. These include:

• Brick, slate, and concrete factories
• Lime and granite processing plants
• Chemical warehouses and incinerators
• Dairy and fertilizer producers
• Asphalt and metal treatment facilities

These enterprises were also given 10 days to rectify their violations. Legal action has already been initiated against 19 companies that failed to comply.

Navoiyazot cited for pollution and illegal waste storage

Investigations into Navoiyazot JSC revealed that construction waste was being stored in unauthorized areas, and air pollution was caused by incinerating soot waste. On July 29, ammonia levels in its urea workshop were found to be 1.08 times above the legal limit.

Nighttime monitoring on July 29–30 revealed high concentrations of harmful substances in the areas surrounding the plant: at 23:43 in the east, ammonia exceeded the norm by 1.5 times and hydrogen sulfide by 36 times; at 00:16 in the west, ammonia was 6.6 times over the limit, hydrogen sulfide 1.4 times, and sulfur trioxide 1.2 times.

As a result, Navoiyazot was fined and given 10 days to eliminate the violations.

Illegal lime production uncovered

On July 24, an overnight raid uncovered illegal lime production activities in a mountainous area of Karmana district bordering Navoi city. Twenty-four individuals were found operating without permits and in breach of environmental regulations, generating dense smoke and dust pollution. Each was fined UZS 18 million, and the illegal kilns were dismantled.

Ongoing environmental monitoring

The Ministry of Ecology noted that environmental monitoring across Navoi city is ongoing. A detailed action plan will be developed for each enterprise, outlining specific measures to reduce air pollution. This plan will be submitted to the local council for approval.

Background: On July 13, 19, 21, and 22, Navoi was engulfed in thick, foul-smelling smoke, leading to coughing and other health complaints among residents. “Navoiyazot” repeatedly denied responsibility, stating that camera footage showed the smoke originated from businesses built on the site of the former electrochemical plant. Initially, local environmental authorities blamed “Navoiyazot,” but after the company’s firm denials, investigators shifted focus to identifying the actual culprits.