I. General provisions

1. This Policy sets out how the Tashkent University of Information Technologies named after Muhammad al-Khwarizmi (hereinafter “the University”) conserves, restores and uses sustainably the terrestrial ecosystems associated with it, protects threatened species, reduces the impact of alien species and includes local biodiversity in planning and development.

2. The Policy has been prepared in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Nature Protection”, the laws on the protection and use of flora and fauna, the Red Book of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the national “Yashil makon” (Green Space) programme and the Convention on Biological Diversity.

3. The Policy applies to all land owned, leased or managed by the University, to field sites used for teaching and research, and to all construction, repair and landscaping projects and the contractors who carry them out.

II. Conservation, restoration and sustainable use of land

4. The University ensures the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems associated with it, in particular forests, mountains and drylands, including the green areas, trees and soils on its land and the ecosystems studied or affected through its teaching, research and volunteering.

5. The University preserves its trees and green areas, replaces any tree that has to be felled lawfully with new native or climate-adapted trees, increases its green area through the “Yashil makon” programme, protects soil from erosion and contamination, and minimises the use of agrochemicals.

III. Identifying, monitoring and protecting threatened species

6. The University identifies, monitors and protects any IUCN Red Listed species and species of the Red Book of the Republic of Uzbekistan with habitats in areas affected by its operations. Flora and fauna on its land are surveyed periodically with specialists and student volunteers, and where a threatened species is found, protective measures are introduced and the environmental authority is informed.

IV. Reducing the impact of alien species

7. The University reduces the impact of alien species on campus: it does not plant invasive alien species, prefers native species in landscaping, removes or controls invasive plants and trains grounds staff to recognise them.

V. Biodiversity in planning and development

8. Local biodiversity is included in every planning and development process, including the construction of new buildings. Project documents include an assessment of the biodiversity of the site, and designs first avoid, then minimise and only then compensate for any harm.

VI. Responsibilities

9. The Department of Housekeeping and Landscaping manages green areas and the campus species register; the capital construction unit ensures biodiversity assessments in projects; and the Sustainability Committee reviews progress every year with the participation of student eco-clubs.

VII. Monitoring and expected results

10. The following indicators are reported every year: green area; trees planted and felled; species recorded, including threatened species; measures against invasive species; and projects that included a biodiversity assessment.

11. Expected results by 2030: a campus species register established and updated at least every two years; a net increase in trees on University land; a biodiversity assessment in every construction and landscaping project.

VIII. Final provisions

12. This Policy is reviewed at least once every two years, and earlier if there are significant changes in legislation or in the activities of the University. Amendments are approved by the University Council.

13. This Policy enters into force on the date of its approval by the University Council and replaces the earlier provisions of the University on land and biodiversity.

14. This Policy is published on the official website of the University (tuit.uz/sustainability) in Uzbek and English and remains publicly available.