Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity

The flora of Kazakhstan amounts to over 13,000 species, including more than 5,754 species of higher vascular plants, about 5,000 species of mushroom, 485 lichen, more than 2,000 algae, and about 500 bryophyte [ ] 133 Positive changes to environmental legislation Fishing has been reducing in both its annual tonnage of catch and the number of employed staff in the sector. This downward trend in the number of individual fishery units creates an alternative in the devel- opment of commercial fishing. The gradual reorientation of fisheries to commercial fish farming will allow the removal of pressure from fish re- sources of natural water bodies. The growth of business activity on the development of trade fish farms will contribute to the creation of addition- al jobs, mostly in rural regions. It is also necessary to implement projects aimed at increasing the economic potential of the fishing industry. Between 2010 and 2013, several changes were introduced to envi- ronmental legislation and structures responsible for the conservation of bi- odiversity in Kazakhstan. As a result, in 2012, the president of Kazakhstan signed a law to make amendments and additions to some legislative acts on issues of forestry, wildlife and protected areas. In general, the changes were in- tended to clarify some of the provi- sions, exclude incorrect interpreta- tion of articles, strengthen market mechanisms for biodiversity conser- vation, tighten liabilities for violation of environmental laws, and refine and divide authorities of state agencies at various levels. The designation “key ornithological area” (IBA), was then introduced into legislation. Also, large-scale changes were made in forestry. In summary, all adopted amendments and additions have sig- nificantly strengthened the environ- mental legislative framework. The Environmental Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan has been implemented. The code specifies units of environmental protection; competencies of specially authorized state bodies in protection; reproduc- tion and use of flora and fauna; and environmental quality standards stipulated by the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In addition, the code includes: • The assessment of biodiversity within ecology expertise and environmental audits, state control, state environmental monitoring, and maintenance of a unified sys- tem of state natural resources • Identification and actions in case of environmental emergencies and environmental disaster • The procedure for the development and approval of environmental re- quirements for economic and other activities. • Environmental requirements for the common use of wildlife. Summer view of Almaty region mountains Kazakhstan K azakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world with an area of 2.72 million km 2 . The country enjoys a unique set of landscapes, ranging from deserts to high mountains and ecosystems of inland seas. Moreover, arid and sub-humid lands cover more than 75 per cent of the Kazakhstan territory. The flora of Kazakhstan integrates more than 13,000 species, including more than 5,750 species of vascular plant, about 5,000 fungi, 485 lichen, more than 2,000 algae, and about 500 bryophytes. The centres of flora endemism are the Karatau mountains and the Western Tien Shan. Mariusz Kluzniak on flickr