Ministerial Decree No. 148 on approval of the Charter regarding Gara-Yaz State Reserve.

This Ministerial Decree states that Gara-Yaz State Reserve has been established in 1978 aiming at a) protecting nature reserves for conservation of genetic fund, biological diversity, ecological systems and natural complexes, b) carrying out scientific research and drawing up a “Nature Chronicle”, c) actualising environmental monitoring as part of monitoring of environment and natural resources, d) ensuring environmental expertise and e) training of scientific personnel and experts in the field of environmental protection. The area of Gara-Yaz State Reserve was expanded in 2003. This Decree sets forth provisions on the organization, protection, scientific research activities and state control of Gara-Yaz State Reserve. This Decree also states that Gara-Yaz State Reserve mainly protects rare and endangered tugai ecosystems and riparian woodlands around Kur. This Decree underlines that in order to protect soil and water areas from anthropogenic impacts, sanitary-protection areas shall be identified in nature reserves. The identification and protection mode shall be in accordance with Article 10.1 of the Law No. 840-IQ on protected areas.