RATIONAL USE AND LEGAL PROTECTION OF FOREST FUND LANDS: A COMPARATIVE EXPERIENCE OF KAZAKHSTAN AND UZBEKISTAN
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47390/SPR1342V5SI11Y2025N49Keywords:
forest fund lands, rational use, forest protection, sustainable development, legal regulation, ecosystem function, digital monitoring.Abstract
This article examines the legal, environmental, and institutional framework for the rational use and protection of forest lands in the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Uzbekistan. A comparative legal analysis of national regulatory systems is provided in the context of international standards for sustainable forest management enshrined in FAO documents, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and Agenda 21. It is noted that the rational use of forest lands is a key principle of sustainable development and environmental safety, ensuring a balance between economic interests and the preservation of natural ecosystems. The article reveals the specifics of the legal regime of forest lands, forms of ownership, the competence of state bodies, monitoring and control mechanisms, as well as issues of liability for violation of environmental standards. It is emphasized that Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are striving to introduce digital tools (GIS systems, satellite observation) to assess the condition of forests. In recent years, they have also focused on the restoration of degraded areas, including the bed of the former Aral Sea, and the formation of a green belt in arid zones. The conclusion is drawn on the importance of harmonizing the legislation of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan with international environmental standards, which will improve the effectiveness of legal protection of forest lands, ensure their rational and regenerative use, and strengthen environmental policy in the Central Asian region.
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