Tokayev approves amendments to law on use of pasturesThe President of Kazakhstan signed the Law “On introducing amendments and additions to some legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the use of pastures,” the press service of the head of state reported.The law amends the Land Code to expand the powers of local executive bodies of the region to develop and approve action plans to combat degradation and desertification of pastures, as well as watering of pastures. The implementation of the plan itself is entrusted to local executive bodies.The norms for the provision of land plots for temporary free use to citizens and legal entities for transhumance and grazing of livestock are removed from the law.The criterion for non-use of pastures is made more stringent by increasing the number of farm animals required for grazing from 20% to 50% of the normal pasture load. A ban is introduced on the transfer of pastures to other types of agricultural land.An amendment has been made to the Forest Code obliging forestry and environmental institutions to annually submit information to the local executive body of the district about areas of the state forest fund where it is possible to mow hay and graze livestock.The law On Pastures introduces the concept of public pastures, aimed at strengthening the status of lands around a settlement intended for grazing by villagers.Pasture lands in Kazakhstan cover an area of 184 million hectares, which is 84% of all agricultural land. The Ministry of Agriculture believes that the shortage of pastures in the republic is about 30 million hectares; about 90% of pasture lands around villages are degraded due to overuse. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX