Ministerial Decree No. 457 relating to special state institutions in the area of protection, supervision and regulation of wildlife species and their habitats.

This Ministerial Decree sanctions the legal status of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Federal Fisheries Committee and the Federal Forestry Service as the only authorized special state wildlife and environment institutions of the Russian Federation. These institutions have the status of Federal Agencies while their local branches have the plenipotentiary rights in the field of wildlife and environment within their jurisdiction. The sphere of competencies and jurisdiction of these Federal Agencies are regulated by Ministerial and Governmental Decrees and Rulings.