Order No. 277-N of the Minister of Environment determining the criteria for designating important bird areas.

This Order primarily addresses the establishment and regulation of Important Bird and Bird Habitat Areas (KТТ) within the national territory, emphasizing their significance for bird conservation and biodiversity preservation. It operates within the broader legal framework of the national environmental legislation, aiming to define criteria for identifying and protecting key bird habitats. The document underscores the importance of maintaining long-term conservation of these areas, facilitating the collection of sustainable data on bird populations, and assessing how population changes impact the overall characteristics of these habitats. Key measures outlined include the development of specific criteria for selecting and delineating KТТ, based on international standards set by BirdLife International. These criteria encompass various categories such as areas hosting globally threatened species, regions with restricted distribution of certain bird species, biomes with significant bird populations, and zones with dense bird aggregations. The document specifies the application of both international and regional standards, detailing categories like A1, A2, A3, and A4, each with explicit definitions and thresholds related to species' conservation status, distribution, and population densities. It emphasizes the need for these areas to support the conservation of bird populations at national and international levels, considering factors such as species' threat status, regional importance, and habitat specificity. Regarding implementation, the document stipulates that the criteria and standards are to be applied in the selection and designation of KТТ, with a focus on ensuring the protection of bird populations and biodiversity. It mentions the use of geographic and ecological data, including biomes and species distribution, and highlights the importance of cross-border considerations where habitats span multiple jurisdictions. The process involves adherence to the specified criteria, with a timeline for the enactment of these measures following official publication, and assigns responsibilities to relevant authorities, notably the Ministry of Environment, for the execution and oversight of these conservation designations.