Kyrgyzstan seeks to protect green zones from development with new law

Kyrgyzstan is moving to strengthen legal protections for its green spaces with proposed amendments to the Law "On the Protection and Use of the Plant World." The changes aim to introduce specific regulations for the protection and development of greenery in populated areas. The proposed legislation introduces new concepts such as "urban greening," "green framework," "compensatory greening," and "greening objects." It also establishes a dedicated section for the protection of city trees, parks, public gardens, and other green zones. Under the draft, all green plantings will undergo mandatory inventory and registration, including geolocation and condition assessment. Developers will be required to consider existing trees and vegetation on construction sites. Tree felling will only be permitted with a valid permit, and it will necessitate mandatory compensatory planting, replacing destroyed greenery with new plantings at a one-to-two ratio. The bill also enshrines the principle of public accessibility to green zones, ensuring they are within a 500-meter walking distance. According to the explanatory note, the bill was developed due to a lack of systematic regulation for green spaces in cities and villages. This is compounded by shrinking green areas, escalating construction, and a deteriorating ecological situation. The legislative initiative was put forward by Member of Parliament Ulan Karybek uulu.