Legal aspects of soil conservation and land cadaster works

Abstract

The analysis of modern Russian legislation in the sphere of environmental protection, management of natural resources, soil conservation, and land cadaster works has been performed. It is shown that a common federal approach to environmental impact assessments and soil quality assessments is virtually absent. Ecological indices are not taken into account in the federal land cadaster. Most of the recently adopted legislative regulations in this sphere have a technocratic character. The recent governmental regulations on land and environmental monitoring have still not been put into practice. To ensure soil conservation policy and protect soils as a component of the environment, a distinction should be made between the notions of soil and land in the legal documents. The basic principles of the proposed law “On Soil Conservation” are outlined. It is argued that a system of soil-ecological criteria should be elaborated for the proper assessment of soil quality. As a soil conservation service is absent in Russia, it is suggested that the Dokuchaev Soil Science Society should organize an association for the protection and rehabilitation of Russian soils.