Regional Law No. 466 “On Regional protected areas.”

This Regional Law regulates relations in the field of organization, protection and management of protected natural areas of the regional significance, as well as establishes categories of protected natural areas of local significance in order to preserve unique and typical natural complexes and objects, particular natural formations, wild flora and wild fauna species, their genetic pool, study of natural processes in the biosphere and control over changes in its state, and also environmental education of the population. Creation and operation of protected natural areas shall be based on the following principles: (a) priority of conservation of natural ecosystems, natural landscapes and complexes while solving organization issues, protection and management of protected natural areas; (b) ensuring conservation of natural and cultural landscapes, unique and typical natural complexes and facilities, including separate natural objects, representing a special scientific, cultural and aesthetic value; and (c) conservation of biological diversity, including rare ones, endangered and scientifically and commercially valuable species.