On December 29, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. A comprehensive survey to confirm the status of specially protected natural areas (SPNAs) of local significance will commence in 2012 in the Vitebsk region, as reported to BELTA correspondent by the Vitebsk Regional Committee for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection. To confirm the existence and identify new species of animals and plants requiring protection, in 2011, under the order of the Regional Committee for Natural Resources, scientists from Vitebsk State University named after P. Masherov surveyed SPNAs in five districts of the region: Verkhnedvinsk, Vitebsk, Gorodok, Senno, and Ushachi. Following the receipt of the results of this work, a decision will be made regarding the confirmation of the status or transformation of SPNAs, and scientific and feasibility studies for заказники (nature reserves) and natural monuments of local significance will be compiled. The Regional Committee for Natural Resources plans to continue this work in 2012, involving scientists from Vitebsk University. As explained by the committee, the survey is conducted in accordance with the State Programme for the Development of the System of Specially Protected Natural Areas of the Republic of Belarus for 2008–2014. Furthermore, during the analysis of conservation documents for SPNAs, employees of the Regional Committee identified violations of the requirements of the Law of the Republic of Belarus "On Specially Protected Natural Areas," in particular, decisions of certain district executive committees on the declaration or transformation of SPNAs do not comply with legislation. With the aim of preserving unique natural sites in the Vitebsk region, there is one reserve – the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve with an area of 62.4 thousand hectares, two national parks – "Braslav Lakes" with an area of 71.5 thousand hectares and "Narochansky" (within the territory of the Postavy district, it occupies an area of 1 thousand hectares), 22 republican significance заказники (nature reserves) (166 thousand hectares), 76 republican significance monuments (570 hectares), 79 заказники (nature reserves) and 143 local significance monuments. The total area of specially protected territories in the Vitebsk region is 361.4 thousand hectares, which accounts for approximately 9% of the region's area. -0-

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