Regional Law No. 144-oz “On protected areas of regional and local significance.”

This Regional Law regulates some issues related to protection and management, and also constitution, of protected areas of regional and local significance. The constitution and operation of protected areas of regional and local significance are based on the following principles: (a) the priority of preserving natural ecological systems, natural landscapes and complexes when addressing issues of protection and use, including the constitution, of protected areas; (b) the predominance of the interests of conservation of protected areas over the interests of their use; (c) priority of using protected areas for research, educational and cultural purposes (in cases where they are provided for) over their use for other purposes; and (d) the sustainability of protected areas as the main elements of the ecological system, ensuring the preservation of biological and landscape diversity, maintaining the ecological balance of the region. The following categories of protected areas of regional significance can be constituted on the regional territory: (a) state natural reserves; (b) natural parks; (c) natural monuments; and (d) dendrological parks and botanical gardens. Taking into account the peculiarities of the special protection regime and the goals of constituting regional protected areas, the following categories of protected areas of local significance are additionally established: (a) protected natural landscape; and (b) protected natural site.