Holonko R. Legal framework for functioning and development of biosphere reserves as part of the ecological network of Ukraine.

The dissertation is concerned with the comprehensive analysis of theoretical and practical issues of functioning and development of biosphere reserves as an independent object of nature reserve fund and an important component of the national ecological network and the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. For the first time historical and legal principles of the formation and development of legislation on biosphere reserves are determined in the work based on the provisions of environmental legislation, scientific and special literature. The concept of a biosphere reserve is formulated. Features, special aspects and functions of biosphere reserves are emphasized, which distinguish them from other objects of the nature reserve fund of Ukraine; the author's definition of the concept of “legal relationship regarding the functioning and development of biosphere reserves” is formulated; the classification of subjects of legal relations regarding the functioning and development of biosphere reserves is given. Improved provisions has got further development regarding: definition of concepts: “biosphere reserve”, “general use of natural resources within biosphere reserves”, “special use of natural resources within biosphere reserves”; functions carried out by biosphere reserves in functional zones; legal protection of biosphere reserves, in particular, its features are determined; legal regulation of the grounds and amounts of administrative and criminal liability for violating organization, protection and use of biosphere reserves territories and their natural resources, in particular in terms of its improvement, identifying criminal liability for offenses committed by officials, etc.