ECOLOGICAL CRIMES — CRIMINAL PUNISHMENT FOR THE EXPLOITATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

This article analyzes the concept of ecological crimes in the criminal legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as the legal issues of qualifying acts related to environmental damage and the looting of natural resources (poaching, illegal logging, damage to flora and fauna). The study examines the preventive effectiveness of established criminal penalties for current environmental offenses and puts forward scientifically grounded proposals for ensuring the inevitability of punishment, improving the mechanisms for compensating the inflicted damage, and legally strengthening public control in this area.