The project proposes that agricultural lands will be recognized as an exceptional value and a fundamental element of national security. Furthermore, landowners and land users will be required to care for soil quality and prevent the degradation of agricultural lands.
The draft law also includes a proposal to tighten the rules regarding the change of land use. For example, if valuable agricultural lands are converted for commercial development, the amount of compensation for the loss of agricultural production is planned to be doubled.
In addition, the draft law includes provisions for the possible expropriation of land plots in cases where intentional degradation of soil quality is established with the aim of transferring these lands to less valuable categories.
The changes also pertain to liability for violations of land use regulations.
For actions leading to the loss of fertility or contamination of lands, it is proposed to establish a fine of 3,000 soms for individuals and 13,000 soms for legal entities.
The explanatory note to the draft law emphasizes that the initiative is aimed at protecting arable lands, ensuring food security, and preventing haphazard development of agricultural lands.
