Deputies Concerned About Ministry of Natural Resources' Plans to Reduce Protected Areas

The State Duma Committee on Ecology heard a report from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of Russia on the results of the implementation of the Concept for the Development of the Federal Specially Protected Natural Areas (SPNA) System until 2020 and the draft Strategy for the Development of the SPNA System until 2036.

During the meeting, deputies expressed concern about the Ministry of Natural Resources' plans to reduce the area of SPNAs by 20 million hectares, which contradicts the instructions of the President of Russia. In addition, committee members raised a number of questions regarding increasing the salaries of SPNA employees, creating new protected areas, and managing existing ones.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology Murad Kerimov reported that the draft strategy until 2036 provides for the formation of a unified state policy in the field of SPNAs and the creation of conditions for biodiversity conservation. The ministry plans to submit the document for consideration by July 1, 2025.

Committee deputies expressed their readiness to actively cooperate with the Ministry of Natural Resources within the framework of events dedicated to the development of SPNAs, in order to promptly resolve emerging issues.