Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus of July 28, 1999 №447

Decree "On the Creation of the Narochansky National Park"

1. To establish, taking into account the proposals of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, the Minsk Regional Executive Committee, and the Administrative Affairs Office of the President of the Republic of Belarus, the Narochansky National Park on the territory of the Myadel, Vileyka, Postavy, and Smorgon districts, with a total area of 94 thousand hectares, along with its scientific and production base – the experimental forestry and hunting enterprise "Myadel," covering an area of 32.2 thousand hectares, transferring them under the management of the Administrative Affairs Office of the President of the Republic of Belarus. To this end:
   • Transfer, in the prescribed manner, the Myadel Forestry (as of July 1, 1999) from the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Forestry to the jurisdiction of the Administrative Affairs Office of the President of the Republic of Belarus.
   • Withdraw land plots (forest fund lands) with a total area of 317 hectares, including 135 hectares from the lands of the Postavy Forestry (Quarter No. 98 of the Lyntupy Forestry) and 182 hectares from the lands of the Smorgon Forestry (Quarters No. 49 and 50 of the Vishnevo Forestry), and grant them for permanent use to the Narochansky National Park.
   Establish that until the withdrawal and transfer of land plots to the Narochansky National Park, land users must comply with the economic activity regime and rules for the protection of natural resources on these lands in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Belarus.
2. Approve the attached Regulations on the Narochansky National Park, descriptions of the boundaries of the Narochansky National Park, and its protection zone.
3. The Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus:
   • Within one month, submit in the prescribed manner proposals on exempting individuals arriving for rest at health resorts, tourist bases, and recreational zones located within the territory of the Narochansky National Park from paying the resort fee, and on establishing compensatory payments to be charged to such individuals (including for the use of natural ecosystems and recreational load), with the collected amounts being credited to the appropriate account of this park for the implementation of environmental protection measures.
   • Ensure that legal acts of the Government of the Republic of Belarus and the republican state administration bodies subordinate to it are brought into compliance with this Decree.
4. The Administrative Affairs Office of the President of the Republic of Belarus shall, within two months, ensure in the prescribed manner:
   • Approval of the structure, staff, and budget for maintaining the Narochansky National Park and its registration.
   • Jointly with the Ministry of Forestry, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Ministry of Finance, the Minsk and Vitebsk regional executive committees, and the Minsk city executive committee – the implementation of organizational and technical measures listed in paragraphs 1, 6, and 7 of this Decree.
   • Jointly with relevant stakeholders – the development and approval of a plan for preparing projects related to the organization and development of the Narochansky National Park.
   • Within its competence, the adoption of other measures necessary for the implementation of the provisions of this Decree.
5. The Ministry of Finance, when formulating the budget for 2000 and subsequent years, shall allocate financial resources to the Narochansky National Park for its maintenance, forest and hunting management, as well as for the development of projects stipulated in the fourth paragraph of item 4 of this Decree.
6. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Minsk regional executive committee and city executive committee, the Ministry of Sports and Tourism, the State Committee for Hydrometeorology, the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, and the Belarusian State University shall ensure the transfer, in the prescribed manner, of economic and tourist facilities to the jurisdiction of the Narochansky National Park in accordance with Appendix 1.
7. Item 6 - with amendments introduced by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus dated August 25, 1999, No. 494. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Minsk Regional Executive Committee, and the City Executive Committee shall ensure the transfer, in the prescribed manner, of economic and tourist facilities to the jurisdiction of the Narochansky National Park in accordance with Appendix 1.
8. The Minsk and Vitebsk Regional Executive Committees shall transfer water bodies into the permanent use of the Narochansky National Park in accordance with Appendix 2.
9. The Minsk Regional Executive Committee shall ensure the establishment of targets for the volume of supply of goods (works, services) for national state needs and limits on centrally distributed resources for the Myadel District, taking into account the creation of the Narochansky National Park.
10. The Belarusian Republican Union of Consumer Societies, the Belarusian Republican Association "Belmezhkolkhozdravnitsa," and the Minsk Regional OSVOD Council shall resolve the issue of transferring economic and recreational facilities to the jurisdiction of the Narochansky National Park within one month in accordance with Appendix 3. Item 9 - with amendments introduced by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus dated August 25, 1999, No. 494. The Belarusian Republican Union of Consumer Societies and the Belarusian Republican Association "Belmezhkolkhozdravnitsa" shall resolve the issue of transferring economic and recreational facilities to the jurisdiction of the Narochansky National Park within one month in accordance with Appendix 3.

President of the Republic of Belarus A. LUKASHENKO

APPROVED
Decree of the President
of the Republic of Belarus
28.07.1999 No. 447

REGULATIONS
on the Narochansky National Park




General Provisions

1. The Narochansky National Park (hereinafter referred to as the National Park) was created to preserve unique natural complexes, as well as to maximize and efficiently utilize the recreational potential of natural resources in the Myadel district and adjacent areas.
2. The National Park is a comprehensive nature conservation, economic, and scientific-research institution under the jurisdiction of the Department of Presidential Affairs of the Republic of Belarus.
3. The main objectives of the National Park are:
   • preserving the natural complex of the Naroch lake group as a historically developed landscape and genetic pool of vegetation and wildlife typical for the Naroch region;
   • organizing environmental education and public awareness activities;
   • conducting scientific research related to the development and implementation of scientific methods for biodiversity conservation, as well as studying natural objects and complexes;
   • developing and implementing scientific methods for nature conservation and resource management;
   • preserving cultural heritage (ethnographic, archaeological, historical, paleontological, and other sites);
   • organizing recreational activities;
   • conducting integrated economic activities based on traditional methods and advanced achievements in resource management.
4. The National Park operates in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Belarus, these Regulations, and carries out its activities in accordance with the developed projects for the organization and development of the park, as well as its programs and work plans. The projects for the organization and development of the National Park are approved by the Department of Presidential Affairs of the Republic of Belarus in coordination with the Ministry of Forestry and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection. The programs, long-term, and annual work plans of the park are coordinated and approved by the Department of Presidential Affairs of the Republic of Belarus. To ensure the implementation of the mentioned projects, programs, and plans, the National Park carries out the necessary scientific, organizational, and administrative-economic activities that do not contradict the legislation of the Republic of Belarus and the main objectives of the National Park.
5. The National Park is a legal entity, has an independent balance sheet, a seal with the image of the State Emblem of the Republic of Belarus and its name, as well as its own symbols (emblem, badges).
6. The territory of the National Park consists of lands granted for its permanent use, as well as lands belonging to other landowners, land users, and landowners of private plots. The lands of the National Park are designated for nature conservation purposes, and any activity contradicting their intended purpose is prohibited. The lands of other landowners, land users, and private landowners, as well as buildings and structures belonging to legal entities and individuals within the boundaries of the National Park, shall be used in accordance with their designated purpose while ensuring compliance with the economic activity regime established by these Regulations.

   Structure of the National Park Territory and Its Regime

7. The territory of the National Park is divided into functional zones with corresponding regulations, considering its environmental, health, scientific, recreational, historical, and cultural values:
   • The reserved zone is designated for the conservation and restoration of the most valuable natural complexes and objects, creating conditions for their natural evolutionary development and study. All activities are prohibited in this zone except for scientific research and protective measures.
   The duration of the reserved zone's functioning is not established. Presence of unauthorized persons in the reserved zone without special permission from the National Park is prohibited. Scientific and protective activities in the reserved zone are carried out according to plans and projects developed and approved in the prescribed manner.
   • The regulated use zone is intended for the study, conservation, and restoration of disturbed natural complexes, as well as the reproduction and sustainable use of natural resources through advanced methods of careful environmental management.
   The duration of the regulated use zone's functioning is not established in areas where both natural and human-disturbed landscapes exist.

   In the regulated use zone, the following activities are allowed:

   • Conducting scientific research;
   • Carrying out measures to restore disturbed natural complexes and reproduce natural resources;
   • Implementing fire prevention measures (creating firebreaks, mineralizing clearings, constructing water bodies and fire protection systems, removing windfallen trees, storm damage, and deadwood);
   • Constructing and repairing roads associated with the objectives and goals of the National Park;
   • Protecting forest areas (primarily through biological methods) from pests and diseases;
   • Conducting sanitary cuttings, maintenance cuttings, cuttings for the formation of primary phytocenoses, and forest restoration measures aimed at increasing the stability of forest ecosystems, in accordance with the approved project for the organization and development of the National Park;
   • Supplemental feeding of hoofed animals under extreme conditions;
   • Implementing sanitary-veterinary, preventive, and biotechnical measures to preserve the gene pool and prevent diseases among wild animals;
   • Tourism and guided excursions under the supervision of tour guides and specialists of the National Park.
   • Other activities that do not contradict the purpose of the regulated use zone may also be permitted, in accordance with the approved project for the organization and development of the National Park. In specially designated areas, haymaking, livestock grazing, mushroom and berry gathering, recreational fishing, harvesting of aquatic invertebrates, and other natural resource uses are allowed for the needs of the National Park and local residents.
   • The recreational zone is designated for the placement of facilities and structures for sanatorium-resort treatment, tourism, and public recreation, as well as for conducting cultural and wellness events. This zone includes areas of the National Park suitable for tourism and recreation, recognized as valuable in cultural, historical, and recreational aspects. The recreational zone is utilized according to plans, projects, and programs for recreational activities. In the recreational zone, tourism, recreational fishing in designated areas, the organization of campsites, rest areas, tent installation, and campfires in designated locations are permitted. Additionally, necessary fire prevention and forest restoration measures, sanitary cuttings, and landscape cuttings may be carried out, in accordance with the approved project for the organization and development of the National Park. During recreational activities, it is essential to prevent the degradation of natural complexes within the National Park and to take measures aimed at preserving existing landscapes, water bodies, flora, and fauna.
   • The economic zone is designated for the placement and operation of administrative, production, and public utility buildings and structures, as well as facilities for servicing National Park visitors and conducting industrial, commercial, economic, tourism, and agricultural activities that do not contradict the objectives and goals of the park. The economic zone consists of areas within the National Park that do not possess scientific, cultural-historical, or recreational value. The economic zone includes agricultural lands, settlement areas, and other lands within the National Park.
8. The boundaries of the National Park zones are determined by its organization and development project, marked on-site with special informational and other signs, and may be modified in case of justified necessity based on the decision of the scientific and technical council of the park, in accordance with the procedure specified in part two of paragraph 4 of this Regulation. Changes to the boundaries of these zones that result in the reduction of the reserved zone are not allowed.
9. A protective zone is established in the areas adjacent to the National Park to prevent the negative impact of economic and other activities on the natural complexes and objects of the National Park. The boundaries of the protective zone are marked on-site with special informational and other signs and are considered in land use plans, other territorial plans, and projects. The lands of the protective zone remain under the ownership, use, and possession of the previous landowners, land users, and landowners.

   In the protective zone, the following activities are prohibited:

   • Introduction of alien species of wild animals and plants that are not native to the local flora and fauna;
   • Any activities that alter the hydrological regime of water bodies, watercourses, or groundwater, or impact the natural complexes of the National Park;
   • Discharge of untreated wastewater and waste into water bodies and watercourses;
   • Clearing of aquatic and coastal vegetation in water protection zones of rivers and water bodies, except for reclamation networks;
   • Surveying, designing, and constructing reclamation systems and peat enterprises within a five-kilometer zone from the boundaries of the National Park within the protective zone;
   • Other types of economic activities that may have a negative impact on the natural complexes of the National Park.
   Forestry activities, hunting, and commercial fishing are carried out in the protective zone in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Belarus. Landowners, land users, and landowners within the boundaries of the protective zone must comply with the established protection and usage regime of this zone.

   Structure and Management Bodies of the National Park

10. The structure, staffing schedule, and budget for the maintenance of the National Park are approved by the Manager of the Affairs of the President of the Republic of Belarus within the budget allocations provided for the park’s maintenance, as well as from the revenue of its economic activities. The production structure of the National Park includes forestry units, self-financed workshops, and other production sites. If necessary, the National Park may establish its own legal entities in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Belarus, provided that their activities do not contradict the objectives and goals of the National Park. To ensure the comprehensive development of forestry and hunting management, and to address environmental and socio-economic tasks, the structure of the National Park includes the "Myadel" Experimental Forest and Hunting Enterprise, which serves as the scientific and production base of the National Park and operates based on the Regulation on the Experimental Forest and Hunting Enterprise, approved by the Manager of the Affairs of the President of the Republic of Belarus.
11. The National Park is managed by a director. The Director of the National Park, their deputies, and the Chief Accountant are appointed and dismissed by the Manager of the Affairs of the President of the Republic of Belarus. The Chief Forester and Chief Engineer of the National Park, as well as the Director of the "Myadel" Experimental Forest and Hunting Enterprise, are appointed and dismissed by the Director of the National Park with the approval of the Manager of the Affairs of the President of the Republic of Belarus. Other employees are hired and dismissed in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Belarus.
12. The Director of the National Park:
    • manages the National Park on the principles of sole authority, based on the tasks assigned to them;
    • acts on behalf of the National Park without a power of attorney, disposes of its funds and property in the prescribed manner;
    • opens accounts in banking institutions, enters into contracts;
    • issues orders and directives mandatory for all employees of the National Park;
    • hires and dismisses employees of the National Park in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Belarus, appoints and removes heads of its structural divisions, and applies incentive and disciplinary measures to employees;
    • organizes the work of the National Park and is responsible for its operations, protection of natural complexes and property, compliance with budgetary and financial discipline, contractual and labor discipline, economic management, and safety regulations;
    • determines salary supplements for employees of the National Park;
    • ensures the professional development of the park's employees;
    • monitors the implementation of research plans, orders, and contract work;
    • oversees the activities of the scientific and technical council of the National Park, approves annual thematic plans, publication schedules, and scientific research plans for the park’s specialists;
    • bears responsibility, in accordance with the legislation, for the accuracy and reliability of state reporting.
13. Labor relations between employees of the National Park are regulated by legislation, as well as by internal labor regulations and job descriptions approved by the park's director.

    Rights and Competence of the National Park

14. In accordance with its main objectives, the National Park develops projects, programs, and long-term and annual plans for its main activities and ensures their implementation.
15. The National Park, within its competence:
    • bears responsibility for violations of contractual, credit, financial, tax, and other obligations in accordance with the legislation;
    • maintains operational and accounting records of contractual activities, as well as statistical and financial reporting.
16. The National Park submits periodic and annual financial reports, balance sheets, explanatory notes, reports, statistical data, and other information about its activities to the Office of the President of the Republic of Belarus within the established deadlines and in the prescribed forms.
17. The National Park has the right to:
    • regulate visits to its territory in accordance with the established regime;
    • request and receive necessary information from organizations located within the park regarding the use and protection of natural resources, as well as the management of agricultural, forestry, and hunting activities, and other issues related to its operations;
    • demand that organizations located within its territory comply with environmental legislation and the established regime;
    • suspend or halt activities in areas and facilities where violations have been identified until they are resolved;
    • refer cases of environmental law violations and breaches of the regime established by this Regulation to courts, law enforcement agencies, and environmental authorities to hold violators accountable;
    • engage in commercial and procurement activities in accordance with the established procedure, provided that they do not contradict its objectives and goals;
    • cooperate with national parks, other environmental institutions, governmental and public organizations both within the Republic of Belarus and abroad.
18. The ownership, use, and disposal of assigned property are carried out by the National Park within the limits defined by legislation and in accordance with its objectives, the tasks assigned by the Office of the President of the Republic of Belarus, and the designated purpose of the property.
19. The assets of the National Park consist of fixed assets and other material values.
20. The activities of the National Park are financed through:
    • funds from the state budget;
    • revenues from economic, recreational, scientific, educational, advertising, publishing, and other activities that do not contradict the objectives and goals of the National Park;
    • bank loans;
    • charitable donations and gratuitous aid;
    • other sources not prohibited by the legislation of the Republic of Belarus.
21. The profit obtained from economic and other activities, after payment of taxes and other mandatory payments, remains at the disposal of the National Park and is used for replenishing fixed assets, financing scientific research and developments, and other activities of the park in accordance with its objectives and goals. Additionally, it is used for providing allowances and bonuses to the salaries of park employees and ensuring other payments in accordance with legislation.
22. Issues related to socio-cultural and economic activities of business entities, as well as development projects for settlements located within the park's territory, must be coordinated with the National Park.

    Protection of the National Park.
    Rights and Social Protection of National Park Security Personnel

23. The protection of the National Park, its natural complexes and objects, as well as the control over compliance with the established regime in the buffer zone, is ensured by the park's security personnel in accordance with the list of positions of employees engaged in the protection of reserves and national parks under the jurisdiction of the Office of the President of the Republic of Belarus.
24. The security personnel of the National Park enjoy all rights and benefits granted to employees of the state forestry and fisheries protection services.
25. National Park security personnel are provided with free uniforms of the established standard. They have the right to store and carry firearms while performing their official duties in accordance with the armament regulations approved in the prescribed manner. The procedure for acquiring, storing, and using weapons is determined by the legislation of the Republic of Belarus.
26. The security personnel of the National Park have the right to:
    • check persons within the park’s territory for the presence of appropriate permits, as well as documents granting the right to use natural resources and conduct other activities, and inspect vehicles;
    • draw up reports on violations of forestry and environmental legislation and take measures against violators in accordance with the law;
    • escort individuals who have violated environmental legislation and the park's protection regime to law enforcement authorities;
    • confiscate from violators of environmental legislation products and tools used for illegal natural resource exploitation.
27. The Director of the National Park, his deputy for wildlife protection and hunting management, and the Chief Forester are granted the right to:
    • impose administrative penalties and fines for violations of legislation on specially protected natural areas and objects, as well as this Regulation;
    • in cases provided by law, forward materials on violations to law enforcement authorities.

    Liability for Violating Legislation on the National Park

28. Legal and physical persons found guilty of violating environmental protection legislation, as well as this Regulation, are subject to administrative, criminal, or other liability in accordance with the law.

    Scientific Research and Educational Activities

29. The organization and implementation of scientific research, monitoring, and scientific support for the practical tasks of the National Park are carried out by its scientific department under the scientific and methodological guidance of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.
30. The scientific department develops long-term and annual plans, programs, projects, and activities for scientific research on nature conservation, regulated natural resource use, and recreational and economic activities within the National Park. These are reviewed at meetings of the scientific and technical council and approved by the Director of the National Park.
31. The Scientific and Technical Council is established to discuss key issues of the National Park's scientific research activities, justify conservation measures, and regulate natural resource use. The Director of the National Park heads the Scientific and Technical Council.
32. The Scientific and Technical Council operates in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Belarus, this Regulation, and the Regulations on the Scientific and Technical Council of the National Park, approved by the Manager of the Affairs of the President of the Republic of Belarus. The Scientific and Technical Council consists of the Director of the National Park, the Deputy Director for Research, the Academic Secretary, the Chief Forester, research staff and specialists of the National Park, scientists from the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, representatives of other interested organizations, and leading experts in environmental protection and forestry. To conduct scientific research and provide scientific and methodological assistance, specialists from other institutions or organizations may be invited to the National Park on a contractual basis, as well as foreign specialists with the approval of the superior organization.
33. > The National Park has the right to publish scientific works, academic and popular publications, literature on conservation, as well as advertising and reference materials. To organize the publication of scientific works, popular literature, advertising, and reference materials, the National Park may establish an Editorial and Publishing Council, headed by the Deputy Director for Research.

    International Cooperation of the National Park

34. The National Park cooperates with government bodies, public associations, and citizens of the Republic of Belarus and foreign countries on issues of scientific research, conservation, natural resource use, economic activities, and monitoring.

    State and Public Control Over the Use and Protection of the National Park

35. State and public control over the use and protection of the National Park is carried out in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Belarus.

    Termination of the National Park's Activities

36. The decision to terminate (reorganize or liquidate) the National Park is made by the President of the Republic of Belarus.