BACKGROUND:Uzbekistan faces a number of threats to the environment. The government, either because of a lack of resources or a lack of political will, often responds less than effectively to these challenges. In the past, mahallas (local community associations) and, more recently, civil society organizations have helped to fill the gap. Despite the increased requirements for their operation set forth by the government in recent years, many civil society groups working on environmental issues have continued to operate and achieve positive results. Their current work is perhaps an acknowledgement by the government that grassroots efforts are an integral component of the national response to these challenges. In the past, Uzbek customs and traditions ensured a great respect for land, water and nature in general. It was only when Uzbekistan became part of the Soviet Union in the first part of the twentieth century that this changed. The Soviets brought large-scale apartment blocks, infrastructure projects and agricultural development that greatly contributed to the massive environmental problems the country faces today. As set forth in the recent UNDP Central Asia Human Development Report and in Uzbekistan’s Country Profile for the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, these environmental challenges are varied and include deforestation, threatened flora and fauna, waste management, water resource issues and the Aral Sea disaster. These problems are also apparent at the regional level. Transboundary environmental obstacles, related to air pollution, radioactive waste and water management, abound. Alone, national governments are ill-equipped, both in terms of human and financial resources, to deal with these issues. In the years since Uzbekistan’s independence in 1991, the formation of a number of environmental NGOs has been a positive trend. These NGOs address a range of matters: advocacy, education, conservation and pollution. While a few work at the national level, most of these NGOs restrict their work to a certain city or district. Since 2000, some environmental NGOs have made varied, unsuccessful attempts to form an association. At this writing, the most recent registration documents for association formation are under consideration at the Ministry of Justice headquarters in Tashkent. As chronicled in a series of recent briefings by the Open Society Institute, toward the end of 2003 the Government of Uzbekistan instituted a series of measures─including those related to registration, banking and freedom of association─meant to restrict the activities of civil society groups. In addition, NGOs have also been strongly encouraged to join a national NGO association whose formation was initiated by the government. The association is based in Tashkent and held its first meeting in October 2005. Although estimates given by the Open Society Institute and other observers vary, it is clear that in the past few years the number of active, independent civil society groups in Uzbekistan have declined. Despite this difficult work atmosphere, there are some NGOs, including those focusing on environmental topics, that continue their work and make a positive contribution in their communities. IMPLICATIONS: Why and how have these environmental groups been able to continue their work? The answer seems twofold. First, the government appears to implicitly acknowledge that alone, it cannot adequately respond to the country’s environmental challenges, and that the work of the NGOs complements and adds to its efforts. Second, the work of the NGOs has not been considered to be of a political nature, addressing topics such as human rights and free elections, which the government seems to view as threats to the status quo. All the same, the work of such groups is far-reaching and touches on themes such as freedom of information and equality in economic opportunities. Although these NGOs are few and based mostly in the capital, Tashkent, and other large cities throughout the country, their work is vital to environmental protection efforts in Uzbekistan. For example, one NGO devotes its energy to advocacy on environmental issues. It provides free legal consultations to local citizens at its office in Tashkent, and has carried out a countrywide series of trainings about Uzbekistan’s environmental laws for governmental staff and community leaders. This NGO has also gathered quantitative data about environmental problems that pose security threats, such as nuclear and chemical wastes, and it is currently organizing this information into a database. A second NGO works on community-based ecotourism in Tashkent province and southern Uzbekistan. This group has identified an ancient site in Akwganski district about one hour outside Tashkent, and is combining forces with local communities and officials to create a base for tourism. In addition, the group plans to offer day trips to Chatkal National Park one hour southeast of Tashkent. A third NGO based in Tashkent concentrates on educational activities for schoolchildren, such as environmentally focused books and camps. This NGO is also working with a local artist to develop a program in which students use natural products to create small souvenirs. This activity will teach them about business and allow them to earn income while they also learn about environmental topics. Still another NGO works on conservation efforts in the Tien Shen Mountains shared by Uzbekistan with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, contributing to regional efforts to create a transboundary nature reserve. Other environmental NGOs work in fields such as journalism and Uzbekistan’s implementation of international conventions. Operating with small staff and limited budgets, these NGOs face a number of challenges including long-term sustainability issues such as financing, marketing, membership recruitment and strategic planning. Another challenge is navigating through and adhering to the range of regulations, including those related to accounting and employment, which cover NGOs. Other issues include maintaining strong working relationships with local communities and government authorities, and working to enhance collaboration among the various NGOs. These environmental NGOs may encourage the work of other civil society groups by showing not only the government, but most importantly citizens, the need for active civil society groups. They supplement the work of governmental bodies, focusing on activities where local knowledge and expertise is crucial. By addressing specific local conditions, they initiate practical projects that have the potential to succeed and last. Such endeavors by NGOs are an impetus for social investment, encouraging fellow citizens to become involved in environmental protection matters. CONCLUSIONS: Many civil society groups in Uzbekistan are finding it increasingly difficult to continue their work. Cumbersome registration and reporting requirements have left some unable to operate. Others have had to limit their activities. To date those most adversely affected have been groups concentrating on political and human rights issues. A bright spot is that groups working on issues related to environmental education, environmental legal advocacy and ecotourism continue their mission. Their efforts may perhaps set the stage for the future development of civil society groups in Uzbekistan. AUTHOR’S BIO: Douglas L. Tookey worked for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe as Economic & Environmental Officer at the Centre in Tashkent from 2001-04, and he continues to follow environmental issues in the region. Funds provided by the National Council for Eurasian and East European Research (NCEEER) supported the work leading to this article. The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.