A law "On Soil Protection" will be introduced in Kazakhstan. Today, May 6, deputies of the Majilis approved the bill in its first reading, along with accompanying legislative amendments. The main goal of the document is to establish a comprehensive legal framework for soil management, protection, maintenance, and improvement of fertility, as well as the prevention of land degradation, within a single legislative act. This was reported by the Majilis press service.
The bill introduces a number of requirements aimed at preserving soil quality and preventing further deterioration. In particular, it clarifies the concept of "soil," distinguishing it from the broader concept of "land," allowing for the establishment of specific measures for protection and rational use.
The bill introduces mandatory measures to restore soil fertility. The plan calls for the use of soil-protection technologies (minimum and no-till, mulching, snow retention, etc.), the introduction of crop rotation, scientifically sound fertilization, the prevention of the accumulation of hazardous chemicals in dangerous quantities, and restrictions on the cultivation of certain agricultural crops depending on soil conditions.
Furthermore, requirements are established for protecting soils from flooding, waterlogging, secondary salinization, depletion, drying out, and compaction, as well as measures to restore degraded lands. Implementation of these requirements will be based on soil and agrochemical survey data.
Furthermore, the plan calls for the introduction of modern monitoring tools: the creation of predictive soil degradation models, the use of remote sensing data, and artificial intelligence technologies for soil analysis and mapping.
The rights and obligations of subjects of land legal relations are separately defined. This includes requirements for the protection of the fertile soil layer: its mandatory removal during work, proper storage and subsequent use, and a ban on its export.
The accompanying bill aims to align current legislation with the new regulations. Specifically, it introduces mandatory issuance of a passport for agricultural land upon its granting. This will become an official document recording the soil quality score, humus content, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels, salinity, acidity, texture, and other soil characteristics.