Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Purpose: The research aims to develop a theoretical framework for ecotourism clusters in regional ecological networks to address the gap in theory regarding the composition and governance of ecotourism clusters in transitional economies. While there has been rising interest in tourism clusters, few studies have systematically analyzed the key components and operational relationships of ecotourism clusters using a structured expert-based approach. Research Methodology: The study uses the Delphi method, which includes open and closed questions and interviews, with a panel of multidisciplinary experts in tourism, environmental protection, and cluster development. This expert-based approach is applied to gather insights on the components and governance of ecotourism clusters. Results: The results show a consensus that ecotourism clusters are defined as territorial, cooperative, environmental conservation-focused systems involving tourism services, local economic actors, and independent governance structures. The analysis suggests that clusters with an optimal size (12–14 members) enhance regional coordination, enable sustainable resource management, and reduce or mitigate the ecological burden of tourism. Conclusions: The research concludes that ecotourism clusters not only act as profit-maximizing networks but also serve as institutional equilibria, balancing economic growth with environmental protection. The findings provide a basis for strategic frameworks in designing sustainable regional development and policies. Limitations: The study is limited by the panel’s subjective nature, as it is based on expert opinions, which may not be fully generalizable across all contexts. Further empirical testing is needed for a broader application. Contributions: This research contributes by offering a theoretical framework for ecotourism clusters and highlighting the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in managing sustainable regional tourism.

This study introduces an innovative geospatial approach for monitoring seasonal geodynamic activity and seismic hazard in the Charvak Reservoir region of northeastern Uzbekistan an area characterized by inherited fault systems, frequent shallow earthquakes, and cyclic hydrological loading. Unlike previous studies that assess deformation using long-term seismicity or single-period imagery, this work integrates multi-temporal satellite remote sensing (Landsat-8), automated GIS-based lineament analysis, directional statistics, historical seismicity (1955–2024), and monthly water volume records. Lineament extraction was performed for three hydrological phases in 2024 March (low water), July (peak water), and September (drawdown) to capture the structural response to seasonal stress fluctuations. Results reveal a marked increase in lineament density during and after the peak water phase, particularly near active fault zones. Orientation patterns remained stable (NE–SW, E–W), aligning with regional tectonics, while density shifts indicated dynamic stress redistribution. Spatial overlay with seismic epicenters confirmed a strong correspondence between high-density lineament zones and localized deformation. Based on these multi-source indicators, five geodynamically active subzones were delineated, with the highest hazard concentration in the North Pskem and Kumbel-Kokand sectors. The key contribution of this study lies in applying a seasonal, lineament-based deformation monitoring framework previously untested in the Charvak region which enhances the understanding of reservoir-induced stress responses and provides a transferable model for georisk management in tectonically complex hydrosystems.

This study explores the relationship between R&D spending and social progress in the context of rapidly innovating and digitalizing world. Using data for 131 countries for the years 2019-2020, we find that innovation has significant positive relationship with social progress index. After controlling for other factors, 1 percentage point increase in R&D expenditure is associated with 1.13-point increase in social progress. We also confirm the importance of human capital and quality of institutions for the social progress.