The announcement of the construction of a new resort complex Sea Breeze Uzbekistan on the shore of the Charvak reservoir has caused discontent on social networks.

The plans became known back in December last year, when Azerbaijani businessman Emin Agalarov presented the project to the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. In April, the head of state familiarized himself with the master plan of the tourist resort. The project includes erecting hotels, residential residences, infrastructure for recreation and entertainment on an area of ​​500-700 hectares.

A statement published on the Agalarov Development website indicates that the total area of ​​the project will be 577 hectares.

The company plans to begin construction this summer. Details of the concept and implementation dates have not been announced. There is no available information about the environmental assessment - its status and those responsible.

The uncertainty, which has been superimposed on the sensitive topic of the water resources crisis for the region, has caused a massive negative reaction on social networks. In response to criticism, Emin Agalarov published a video message on Instagram, where he stated that “wastewater will be purified,” but details about the purification mechanisms and other specific data on the project were not made public.

Bloggers, activists and social media users are asking questions about the impact of large-scale construction on the natural balance of Charvak reservoir, a key source of fresh water for Tashkent and nearby areas. The comments voice concerns about potential restrictions on access to the shores, increased pressure on infrastructure and changes in the ecological state of the reservoir.

Many are also concerned that the decision on such a project is being made without public participation and without a transparent assessment of its impact on the nature of the region.

This is not the first time that businessman Emin Agalarov’s projects have faced criticism. A similar initiative to develop the Bozzhyra tract on the Ustyurt Plateau in Kazakhstan also caused discontent among the local public.

The editorial board collected the opinions of bloggers and social media users and highlighted the main questions that Uzbeks are asking about the plans to build on the shore of the Charvak reservoir.

What bloggers are saying

The video footage by eco-blogger Urikguli (Mutabar Khushvaktova), in which she collected the opinions of experts and influencers about the Sea Breeze Uzbekistan project, caused a great response on social networks - the video has gained more than 900 thousand views on Instagram. Participants spoke about the possible impact of the future resort on the hydrological balance of the Charvak reservoir.

The video voices concerns about the likelihood of drinking water contamination and a threat to biodiversity. The environmental impact assessment, about which there is no information yet, is of concern.

Sustainable construction specialist Temur Akhmedov recalled the importance of a comprehensive study of any changes in the water balance: “3.5 million people live in Tashkent, New Tashkent is being built. Where will we get water for everyone? If the balance on Charvak is disturbed, it will become a big problem."

PhD of Natural Sciences Yulduzhon Abdullaeva spoke about the threat to biodiversity.

"Rare plants grow in the area of ​​the reservoir, animals are found. Water from Charvak will be used for fountains and pools, which can disturb its hydrological balance. It is imperative to give an environmental assessment of the project, and if the result is unsatisfactory, then the construction must be canceled," the scientist believes.

"Even if we think skeptically, Uzbekistan is in a vulnerable position in terms of climate and water. We have already seen the situations with the Sardoba reservoir and the Aral Sea. It is necessary for independent environmental experts to give their assessments of this project," says blogger Mirzayor Erkinov.

As Urikguli herself emphasized, "if mistakes occur during the construction process or the water in the Charvak reservoir becomes polluted, we may lose our only source of drinking water. That is why a thorough environmental audit and transparency of the project are necessary."

Junior researcher at the Institute of Hydrometeorology Alisher Khudoyberdiev drew attention to the possible deterioration of water quality: "The use of motorboats will lead to water pollution. A decrease in its quality will directly affect drinking water and agricultural land."

Blogger Samandar Nizomov noted: "Why do we need a VIP zone? So that the rich can come in and the poor can watch from afar? Charvak is not a sea or an ocean. I do not want to drink water with impurities in the future."

His opinion echoes that of blogger Umida Odilova: "Our reservoir is a source of drinking water for us and our future children. There are enough construction sites in the city as it is. Clean air is only there [in the mountains]."

Urbanist Iskander Soliev is skeptical about the developers' guarantees: "We know that we often get beautiful promises before construction, but then they are not fulfilled in practice. This is the main concern."

Social media users' reactions

The Sea Breeze Uzbekistan project is being actively discussed in the comments under posts in online groups, communities, and on users' personal pages. People are concerned about how the construction may affect the quality of water, the hydrological balance, and the sanitary condition of Charvak.

"How can we be sure that our drinking water will remain the same and will not change its quality and taste?", "Due to the development of the coastline, erosion will increase, and natural soil filtration will decrease," Internet users fear.

Many recalled the decisions of 2020, when the movement of motorized vessels along Charvak was banned to improve the sanitary condition. The ban continues to be ignored.

People write in the comments that a large private complex may restrict free access to water. Against the background of the inaccessibility of new modern resorts for most citizens due to pricing policies and the lack of public places for swimming in the city and beyond, this may be painful.

"We are losing places where you can just go out into nature without hotels and inns", "Earlier you could pitch a tent with children, now they even charge money for travel. Now the shore will be completely inaccessible", "The average salary in Uzbekistan is about $400. Who can afford to relax in such a complex?", "The prices in Chimgan and Charvak are already sky-high," users write.

Social networks are also worried about the water crisis, which is already being felt in the region. One of the Internet users recalls what the Aktash gorge was like: "Earlier you could jump into the river from rocks there - it was deep. Now, because of the development, the water in the river is barely ankle-deep. It is becoming less and less."

Internet users believe that given the acute shortage of water resources and the lack of transparency of procedures, the implementation of such construction projects requires an increased level of responsibility and a thorough assessment of potential risks. The public is waiting for clarification on the issues raised before the Sea Breeze Uzbekistan project moves to the construction stage.

The press service of the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change said that the design documentation has not yet been submitted to the ministry: “As soon as it is received, [everything] will be reviewed in the established order and an appropriate conclusion will be given.”