Tashkent man fined for landscaping vacant land; authorities comment

Earlier reports indicated that Avanesyan, a resident of Tashkent’s Yashnabad district, had used his own funds to turn an abandoned lot near railway tracks into a landscaped green zone and was fined for violating land legislation. He was ordered to restore the plot to its original condition.

The Yashnabad district administration commented on the incident, clarifying that the fine was imposed not for planting trees and shrubs, but for illegal construction work and restricting public access to the land.

Specifically, Avanesyan unlawfully erected a metal fence on a 360-square-meter plot, installed a 70-square-meter canopy that was used as an unauthorized public catering facility, and adapted the area for illegal commercial activity.

At the same time, authorities emphasized that the planted trees and shrubs will remain in place and that no work to remove them is planned. All landscaped areas created by Avanesyan will be preserved as part of his greenery initiative.

The district administration also reminded that civic initiatives to create green zones are supported; however, such areas must be open to the public and formalized in accordance with the law.

It was noted that land plots intended for commercial activity must be officially allocated – either through the E-auksion electronic trading platform, purchase via an online auction, or lease through the my.gov.uz portal. Any unauthorized construction entails legal and financial risks, including demolition at the owner’s expense, inability to sell or transfer the property, fines, and difficulties connecting utilities.