The agency emphasizes that Kyrgyzstan, possessing significant mineral resource reserves, is crucial for socio-economic development. However, the process of developing deposits often leads to the violation of land and natural landscapes, necessitating reclamation activities. In some cases, violations of the conditions of licenses for subsoil use are observed, resulting in soil degradation and water resource pollution, creating a threat to environmental safety.
In light of the above, the ministry proposes to implement effective legal measures that will hold accountable those who violate license conditions or fail to meet land reclamation requirements.
In particular, the draft law includes the following changes to the Criminal Code:
- Intentional or negligent violation of the conditions of a license for subsoil use, if this action has caused environmental damage or created a threat of such damage, will be punishable by a fine of 1,000 to 2,000 calculation indicators (from 100,000 to 200,000 soms) or imprisonment for up to two years.
- If this violation has caused significant damage to subsoil resources, the punishment will be a fine of 2,000 to 3,000 calculation indicators (from 200,000 to 300,000 soms) or imprisonment for up to three years.
- Violation of reclamation requirements, if it has also caused significant damage or a threat of such damage to the environment, will be punished by a fine of 1,000 to 2,000 calculation indicators or imprisonment for up to two years.
- If this violation has led to significant ecological damage, a fine of 2,000 to 3,000 calculation indicators or imprisonment for up to three years is provided.
