A new public institution would manage protected natural areas
A new public institution, "Protected Natural Areas" is to be established in the Republic of Moldova, responsible for the unified administration of the network of protected natural areas. The new entity will centralize the management of ecological zones that were previously administered in a fragmented manner by various entities subordinate to the "Moldsilva" Agency.
Although natural areas are intended to conserve the gene pool, the natural resources within them continue to be exploited; to prevent such violations, the law must be improved and strengthened, notes Iordanca Rodica Iordanov, Executive Director of the EcoContact association. According to her, the sustainable use of natural resources and the conservation of biodiversity are the primary goals of the new draft law, which is set to replace the 1998 legislation. This regulatory framework is necessary to bring greater clarity regarding territorial demarcation, institutionalization, and the effective management of these zones.
"We need a highly effective law in place, but there are many details involved; the draft law aims primarily to maintain natural balance, conserve and restore nature and landscapes, protect diversity, ensure the sustainable use of natural resources, and implement the Emerald Network and the Natura 2000 Network. In the Republic of Moldova, the Emerald Network is clearly defined with its 61 sites, but how do we transition to Natura 2000? Furthermore, not all Emerald sites will transition to Natura 2000," she stated.
Strengthening the management framework for protected natural areas is accompanied by another equally important step: the establishment of a national authority. This entity will be tasked with managing the state's network of protected natural areas, notes Iordanca Rodica Iordanov. "In fact, it was originally planned for 2017 but was excluded due to the political will at the time. Now, we want to establish this authority again because there is currently no possibility for the uniform management of all state-protected natural areas—which involve a mix of public and private property, as well as areas managed by the ministry and those managed by local municipalities. Therefore, we need a structure to define the operational procedures. This body would provide guidance, develop methodologies, verify their implementation, and ensure that policy is applied consistently while respecting the specific characteristics of each area," she added.
The institution is set to comprise 20 employees and will ensure compliance with environmental legislation, the sustainable use of natural resources, and the prevention of ecosystem degradation, notes Sergiu Lazarencu, Vice-Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Environment, Climate, and Green Transition.
"Staffing levels for protected natural areas will increase by 20 positions. We have allocated 7.1 million in the 2026 budget for the Protected Areas Agency. Given that this legislative initiative aims to create the national legal framework required to implement European Union legislation—and involves amendments to harmonize existing laws—the bill has also received a favorable opinion from the European Commission," he stated.
The administration for protected natural areas will also facilitate cooperation with local authorities, non-governmental organizations, and international partners, establishing a unified and functional administrative framework that enables the protection, conservation, and sustainable use of the country's natural heritage.
