Work continues in Kirovohrad region to establish the first regional national park «Chornyi Lis»

The team of the State Forest Resources Agency of Ukraine has joined the process of establishing the “Chornyi Lis” National Nature Park, which aims to preserve a unique natural ecosystem in the Kirovohrad region.

«We discussed the creation of this national park back in August, and today there is good news: the state enterprise ‘Forests of Ukraine’ has agreed to transfer 12,854.9 hectares of forest, currently under its management, to the future park. In particular, within the Chornoliske forestry it will cover 10,211.4 hectares, and within the Onykiivske forestry – 2,643.5 hectares», - said the Head of the State Forest Resources Agency, Viktor Smal.

He added that these forest fund lands will become part of the national park, with their subsequent withdrawal from the permanent use of the state enterprise «Forests of Ukraine».

«The Central Forest Office branch of SE «Forests of Ukraine» approved this decision following joint meetings and consultations with scientists, as well as taking into account the principle of balancing environmental protection and economic interests, which is especially important under martial law», - the Head of the Agency explained.

Viktor Smal also recalled that the creation of this national park was discussed during a field meeting in the Kirovohrad region with the participation of specialists from the Regional Military Administration, the State Forest Resources Agency, SE «Forests of Ukraine», and representatives of the environmental community.

«In fact, we are continuing the work that was originally planned back in 1926, when scientists first substantiated the need to protect the unique Chornoliskyi and Chutivskyi forest massifs – among the largest broadleaf forest areas on the southern edge of forest distribution in Eastern Europe. However, this work was halted due to repressions», - he noted.

In 2023, the NGO «Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group» prepared a scientific justification for the creation of the national park and submitted it to the Kirovohrad Regional Military Administration. In 2024, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources approved the Administration’s proposal to establish the park.

«I am confident that the creation of the national park will help effectively protect and develop these areas. The Kirovohrad region deserves to have its own national nature park, so we are moving forward», - Viktor Smal concluded.