The new rules aim to prevent land degradation, pollution, and erosion. According to the document, owners and users of plots will be required to take measures to combat salinization, waterlogging, and other processes that worsen soil conditions.
Requirements for construction and mining companies
Special control will apply to construction, excavation, and mining operations. When conducting these activities, the removal and preservation of the fertile topsoil layer must be planned in advance and must be mandatory in the project documentation.
The draft law introduces a number of strict prohibitions, including:
- destruction of the fertile topsoil layer
- mixing soil with construction waste, refuse, or infertile ground
- storing soil in areas at risk of pollution, flooding, or washout
The removed fertile topsoil can be used for landscaping, improving agricultural land, or restoring disturbed lands. If the soil is stored for more than two years, owners are required to protect it from destruction, for example, by sowing perennial grasses.
Monitoring and control
To ensure compliance with the norms, the project provides for scheduled and unscheduled land monitoring. Inspections will be initiated upon the detection of signs of soil pollution.
