Law No. 18 “On protected areas”.

This Law regulates relations in the sphere of organization, management, protection and use, and also supervision and control over protected areas with a view of conservation of unique natural complexes and ecosystems, wild fauna and flora genetic resources, study of natural processes in the biosphere and control over changes thereof. The Act consists of 9 Sections divided into 32 articles: (1) general provisions; (2) state nature reserves; (3) state natural parks; (4) state wildlife sanctuaries; (5) state nature monuments; (6) state botanical, dendrological and zoological parks; (7) biosphere reserves; (8) transboundary protected areas; and (9) conclusive provisions. The basic principles of development of protected areas shall be: (a) development of ecosystems; (b) state regulation; (c) use of protected areas for scientific research, culture, education, tourism; (d) liability for the infringement of the legislation on protected areas; (e) participation of natural and legal persons in the management of protected areas; (f) access of information; and (g) international cooperation. Local self-government shall be responsible for: (a) ensuring enforcement of legislation on protected areas; and (b) carrying out nature preservation arrangements with a view of conservation of biological diversity in protected areas.