The main law, Protection of the Natural Environment, regulating social relationships in the area of environmental protection was passed in 1991. A set of more specific laws for implementation have been adopted on the protection of the atmosphere, mineral and water resources, land, forests natural reserves, and the animal world within the context of this general law. Other institutions, including the Ministry for Forestry, the Committee on Geology and Natural Resources Use, the State Committee on Water Management, the State Committee on Land Use, are responsible for specific sectoral issues related to environmental protection. However, there is no system of ecological monitoring that can meet the requirements of the Law on the Protection of the Natural Environment.
Monitoring is conducted by several institutions.
The goal is to establish a uniform system of monitoring by the year 2000. At present, there is no strict rationalization of the division of responsibilities among these various ministries. This has led to a strategy focusing on a functional rather than the previously common sectoral approach. The new structure better correlates with the legislation, and puts more focus on ecological safety which is extremely vital for the overall national security of Ukraine. This enhanced role was confirmed by the Cabinet of Ministers in 1993.