Department of nature

Implements the protection of nature through the protection of biological and regional diversity and the protection of natural heritage in protected areas and outside protected areas, as well as the protection of natural rarities

According to the existing systematization of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, it is composed of the Department for the Protection of Natural Heritage and Natura 2000, the Department for Biodiversity and Genetically Modified Organisms and the Department for Spatial Planning in Protected Areas and Geodiversity

The nature sector carries out activities for the protection of nature through:

• valuation of natural values ​​and revaluation of protected areas,
• proclamation of protected areas and natural rarities,
• monitoring of the state of nature, i.e. monitoring of habitats and species of national and European importance and monitoring of geodiversity objects
• identification of potential areas at national level for the future Natura 2000 European ecological network
• production of Red Lists for separate taxonomic groups of plants, animals and fungi
• establishment and development of the ecosystem services concept
• concept development for nature-based solutions
• performs expert supervision of the implementation of management plans for protected areas,

Within the administrative procedure, the Nature Department carries out the following activities:

• updates the national legislation on nature protection (Law on Nature Protection and bylaws)
• issues consent to management plans for protected areas and annual programs for the protection of nature in protected areas
• issues permits for scientific research in nature
• issuing permits for the collection of affected and protected wild species of plants, fungi and animals
• issues CITES permits for the regulation of international trade in endangered wild plant and animal species, their parts and derivatives.
• drafts expert opinions in the procedure of adoption of planning documentation for the arrangement of space in protected areas
• issues opinions  for data and information about projects and activities in nature
• drafts opinions for Government sessions regarding laws, by-laws and information from other state institutions