Kazakhstan Parliament approves pasture use lawThe Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan passed the law concerning amendments to legislative acts to enhance regulations related to pasture management and usage."Changes to the Land Code will grant broader authority to regional executive bodies to devise and endorse action plans addressing pasture degradation and desertification, as well as water resource management for pastures,” Senator Saken Arubaev said.The responsibility for implementing these plans lies with local executive bodies overseeing land affairs.The legislation removes provisions granting temporary free land use rights to individuals and entities for livestock grazing purposes.The legislation proposes stricter criteria, increasing the minimum percentage of normal pasture load required for grazing from 20% to 50%. Additionally, it prohibits the conversion of pastures into other forms of agricultural land.An amendment to the Forest Code mandates forestry and environmental institutions to annually report to local executive bodies on areas within the state forest reserve suitable for hay harvesting and livestock grazing.The "On Pastures" law introduces the concept of "public pastures," reinforcing the status of lands surrounding settlements designated for village grazing purposes.Grasslands in Kazakhstan span 184 million hectares, constituting 84% of all agricultural land. The Ministry of Agriculture estimates a deficit of approximately 30 million hectares of pastures in the republic, with around 90% of village pasture lands degraded due to excessive use. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX