Tajikistan raises fines for illegal tree cutting and forest damage

Tajikistan has significantly increased penalties for illegal tree cutting, forest damage, and violations within protected natural areas. Fines for certain offenses now reach up to 93,600 somoni (approximately $7,600 USD).

These amendments to the Criminal Code were approved on June 16 by Tajikistan's upper parliament chamber, the Majlisi Milli. The new legislation enhances penalties for a range of environmental crimes, including unauthorized cutting of trees and shrubs, destruction or damage to forests, and breaches of regulations in specially protected natural zones.

Under the revised Article 234 of the Criminal Code, fines for illegal tree and shrub cutting have risen from 500–700 calculation indicators to 700–900 indicators. With a calculation indicator valued at 78 somoni in 2026, these fines now range from 54,600 to 70,200 somoni. For more severe offenses under Part 2 of Article 234, fines have climbed from 700–1,000 to 900–1,200 indicators, equating to 70,200–93,600 somoni.

Penalties under Article 235, concerning forest destruction or damage, have also been revised. The maximum fine can now reach 1,500 calculation indicators, or 117,000 somoni, depending on the offense's severity. The law also introduces clearer definitions for environmental damage, classifying damage exceeding 100 indicators as significant and over 200 indicators as large-scale. Fines for violating regulations in protected areas under Article 236 have increased from 300–500 to 500–700 indicators, or 39,000 to 54,600 somoni.

Lawmakers stated the stricter penalties are designed to combat illegal logging, prevent forest degradation, and bolster the protection of ecologically sensitive regions. Illegal tree cutting has been a recurring public concern in Tajikistan. In Khatlon province alone, forestry authorities recorded 162 cases of illegal tree cutting in the first quarter of 2026, resulting in 86,700 somoni in fines. A notable past case involved tree cutting in the Arg Gorge near Iskanderkul Lake in Sughd province, confirmed by the Committee for Environmental Protection.