Our project on restoration of the greenhouse of Samarkand State University has almost completed its work. Timur Abduraupov, a graduate of the Faculty of Biology, who is currently a magistracy student of the University, is the project manager. It should be said that we have already wanted to hold the opening ceremony of the greenhouse twice, but owing to circumstances that are beyond our control, the date of the celebration is postponed upon obtaining the permission from the competent authorities.
However, we would like just to open slightly the curtain and tell you a little about what was done. Thus,

The following results were achieved within the framework of the project:

• The heating system of the greenhouse was fully modernized – a new energy-efficient boiler, the system of heating pipes were constructed,. Now, the greenhouse will save hydrocarbon fuel and will be very efficient during heating. I must say that now greenhouse saves fuel against the will, because the gas pressure is so low that it is not enough to start the boiler working. And it happens sometimes, but we hope that these are temporary difficulties, and that the authority of Samarkand city will apply its power to resolve the situation. We have done our work – the boiler for heating is available.
• The heat Insulation system is modernized - the entire greenhouse was insulated by polycarbonate glass, which by its heat insulation features is 6 times more efficient than double glasses which are being used everywhere now. Even if gas is not available for heating, the greenhouse insulation keeps the temperature which is high enough to prevent the death of the plants inside the greenhouse. And this is what we were aimed for.

This is how the cover of the greenhouse looked like before the project

Here is the modernized cover. You can also see the installed air conditioners that maintain a comfortable temperature in summer and winter, as well as the greenhouse shading to protect the greenhouse against grueling sun in summer.

The following objectives are in the process of practical completion:

• The solar panels are being installed for lighting of the greenhouse in the absence of the central power supply;
• Total inventory of the greenhouse is coming to end, most plates with the names of species and varieties of plants have been made and allocated in their places. Soon the electronic version of the catalog-album will be available through the Internet in the University website
• A series of exciting excursions along the greenhouse for different target groups (children, students, tourists of Samarkand, etc.) were developed but not tested yet.

Tomorrow there will be a seminar for employees of tourism agents who offer their services for Samarkand visitors. We are trying to make the greenhouse one of the places fpr tourists to visit, who will pay the entrance fee, which will be spent to support the efficient operation of the greenhouse.

Also tomorrow there will be a seminar for owners of private greenhouses in order to spread the experience of building an energy efficient greenhouse. We will also tell them about the possibility to heat greenhouses with biogas.

Wait for further news about the greenhouse.