Conservation: plant, animal, and wildlife, genetic resources for food and agriculture secured in either medium or long-term conservation facilities

“Jayron” conservation area

VARNET greenhouse complex

Fishery farm of agronomy and biotechnology faculty

Cattle farming plant of “Buxoro Agroklaster Chorva” LTD

Greenhouse of agronomy and biotechnology

Secured fields for growing cotton through drip irrigation

Orchard in the province of the Bukhara region

Educational programmes on ecosystems

1. National Workshop on UI GreenMetric World University Rankings: In May, Bukhara State University hosted the first National Forum on UI GreenMetric World University Rankings for universities in Uzbekistan. This event brought together representatives from top-performing universities, including Tashkent State University of Law and Tashkent State University of Economics. The forum focused on sustainability and environmental responsibility, fostering collaboration among universities and sharing best practices in green campus initiatives.

2. Virtual Workshop on UI GreenMetric: In September, Bukhara State University conducted a virtual workshop for universities in Uzbekistan. This workshop emphasized the importance of sustainability in higher education and the role of universities in promoting environmental responsibility. Keynote speakers and experts from UI GreenMetric provided insights into the ranking system and its impact on universities worldwide. The event encouraged Uzbek universities to participate in the UI GreenMetric Rankings, promoting global comparisons and knowledge exchange.

Educational programme/outreach for local or national communities on sustainable management of land for agriculture

Government and University Collaboration for Regional Development

Purpose of Collaboration: The collaboration between Bukhara State University and local government officials, led by the Bukhara Region Governor and the University Rector, focused on enhancing educational and research facilities at the Rabotiqalmoq Micro-farming Enterprise.

Project Details:

• Micro-farming Initiatives: Projects discussed include fisheries, cultivation of desert flora, and production of biogas using microscopic aquatic plants. These initiatives aim to diversify agricultural practices and improve local livelihoods.
• Tomato Cultivation: The university is experimenting with the cultivation of “Cherry” tomatoes in open fields. This variety is chosen for its suitability to local climatic conditions and market demand, contributing to agricultural diversity and economic growth.
• Biodiversity Conservation: Efforts also include the propagation of Sistanxe desert flora to enhance biodiversity and protect endangered plant species. This initiative supports ecological sustainability and the preservation of native flora in Bukhara.

Through these collaborative efforts, Bukhara State University is actively promoting off-campus water conservation and sustainable agriculture practices. These initiatives not only contribute to environmental stewardship but also foster community resilience and economic development in the region.

Sustainable water extraction on campus

Bukhara State University (BukhSU) is committed to advancing sustainable water management practices on and off campus. Through various innovative projects and collaborations, the university is actively contributing to environmental conservation and resource efficiency.

Innovative Photobioreactor Development in Nukus:

In a pioneering effort, Jalalatdin Usnatdinov, an innovative student from Nukus State Pedagogical Institute, in collaboration with Nukus Youth Technopark, developed a semi-automated photobioreactor. This device is designed to cultivate Chlorella algae and other aquatic plants, providing essential nutrients and oxygen for water-based ecosystems. By promoting the artificial propagation of these plants, the photobioreactor helps to naturally filter and clean water, making it a sustainable tool for water management.

Water discharge guidelines and standards

At Bukhara State University, preventing water systems from pollution is one of the primary tasks in pursuing the sustainable development goal 6. The prevention of water pollution is provided through the following procedures:

1. At Bukhara State University, the water quality in the system is checked by specialists from the water supply company who regularly visit the university campuses. The administration staff of the university joins them and uses special meters that check the level of various hazardous particles that could have entered the system.
2. Wastewater treatment: all basins, tubs, and sinks in the buildings of Bukhara State University are equipped with special filters that prevent chemical pollutants and solid substances from entering the wastewater system. Additionally, posters are pasted above all wastewater hollows, informing about materials and fluids prohibited from flowing into the system.
3. Stormwater management: all buildings of Bukhara State University are equipped with guttering which takes runoff of rain and melted snow from the rooftop to the underground drainage system and reduces flowing of toxic water into the lawns, streets, and other campus sites. The amount of runoff from rain and snow is stored in the underground tanks, cleaned by sedimentation and filters, and then used to irrigate vegetation areas. The reused water is measured by recording the liters of water that underground tanks are filled with.
   

Action plan to reduce plastic waste

1. Plastic waste reduction: to reduce the use of plastic waste and to prevent it from entering the water system, the university has placed waste segregation containers across the campuses which indicates the right bin to throw the garbage.  Plastic is also identified as an element to avoid flowing into the wastewater system on the posters about water conservation and preventing it from pollution.
2. To reduce plastic use on campus, the university has designed a poster informing about alternatives to the use of plastic materials.