Law No. 396-Z on protected areas and objects.

The document consists of 8 sections that contain 47 articles. The present Act establishes legal basis of functioning and protection of protected areas that are the national property, their announcement, transformation and cessation of functioning. Protected areas are the plots of land (including atmospheric air and subsoil) with unique, model or especially precious natural complexes and objects of particular ecological, scientific, historical and cultural, aesthetic and other importance, withdrawn completely or in part from economic activity and posted under special regime of protection and management. The following categories of protected areas shall be set: 1). nature reserve; 2). national park; 3). game reserve; 4). natural monument. Land of protected areas shall be considered environmental protection land and shall not be subject to transfer into private ownership. Protection belt shall be set within adjoining territories for the purpose of prevention or softening negative impact on nature complexes and objects situated within the boundaries of protected areas.