The Verkhovna Rada Budget Committee supported a decision to allocate UAH 100 million for the national natural parks (NNP). This was announced by Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Ostap Semerak.

"For the first time it was included in the budget of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources for the development of national natural parks a sum amounting more than UAH 100 million. The decision was approved by the Government and yesterday supported by the Budget Committee of the Verkhovna Rada", the Minister said.

He noted that these funds will be spent exceptionally for the development of national natural parks.

The Minister also added that the funds, in particular, will be aimed at financing works on the development of NNP land management projects. For example, it concerns the national park Holosiyivsky, which includes the Bilychansky forest, and where the community has long insisted on enlargement of its boundaries.

It should be noted here that the network of national natural parks began to be shaped in the ‘80s since the creation of the first - the Carpathian NNP. Currently Ukraine enumerates 49 national natural parks. The state entrusts responsibility on them to preserve valuable natural complexes and maintain ecological balance in the regions, conduct research and environmental-educational work, create conditions for organized tourism and recreation.