«Today, a board meeting of the State Inspectorate for Fauna and Flora Protection will closely review the agency’s performance in H1 2026. Significantly, this meeting follows a recent meeting hosted by the head of state focused on improving environmental protection. During that meeting, the president decided to maintain the State Inspectorate’s unique independent status, reporting directly to the head of state with broad authority. This once again highlights the critical relevance and importance of the agency’s mission,» Aleksandr Volfovich said.

«However, special rights come with greater responsibilities, and unfortunately, unresolved issues still remain today. The primary concern is poaching: by the end of 2025 and H1 2026, we recorded an increase in such offenses of nearly 24-25%. Challenges also remain in forestry management, illegal fishing, and overall enforcement of environmental laws. Because of this, the President has tasked us with boosting the role and responsibility of the State Inspectorate for Fauna and Flora Protection, while expanding its authority precisely in these areas,» he said.

The state secretary of the Security Council noted that closer cooperation, primarily with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, is a key condition for efficiency. According to him, an artificial separation of duties is unacceptable: everything involving the protection of nature and national wealth demands a joint, well-coordinated effort. «Therefore, this board meeting will not only review past performance but will also hear proposals from the leadership of the State Inspectorate for Fauna and Flora Protection on how to implement the instructions of the head of state. I am confident that closer ties — not just with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Border Committee, particularly in border areas, but also with the line environmental ministry — will take the protection of our national eco-interests to a whole new level. The inspectorate’s staff are doing a good job and showing clear results, but there is still room for improvement, and we will examine these reserves in detail today.» Aleksandr Volfovich said.