For years, the region was the only one in Ukraine without its own national nature reserve. However, following lengthy bureaucratic procedures and scientific consultations, over 12,800 hectares of forest land will be granted protected status. This decision was taken by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.
This was reported by the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture.
A unique forest area
The Chornoliskyi and Chutivskyi broadleaf forest complexes are essentially situated almost on the border with the southern steppe zone. They are among the largest in Eastern Europe, yet for decades they have lacked protection. It is noteworthy that they are located in the Kirovohrad region, where the proportion of protected territory is only 4%.
Now, however, one of the most unique natural complexes of the Middle Dnieper region is set to receive protected status. The rare plants and animals that coexist in this area will be spared the threat of ecosystem destruction.
“The ‘Black Forest’ Park is a vital area for nature conservation in Central Ukraine. We have found a solution that allows us to combine nature conservation with the needs of local communities. At the same time, this is another step towards fulfilling Ukraine’s European integration commitments in the field of biodiversity conservation,” said Oleksiy Sobolev, Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine.
Organizational details
The national park will include the following areas:
- more than 10,200 ha from Chornoliske Forestry;
- more than 2,600 ha from Onikiivske Forestry.
Formally, these areas are now part of the forest fund and are under the permanent management of State Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine.” However, according to the government’s decision, they will be withdrawn from the enterprise. It was reported back in December 2025 that the forestry user had agreed to transfer the land.
The establishment of the national park was preceded by extensive consultations with scientists and foresters. The aim was to balance the state’s conservation and economic interests.
EcoPolitic earlier reported that the Ukrainian Environmental Protection Group had prepared a scientific rationale for the creation of the national park as early as the beginning of the 2020s. Environmentalists cited the inappropriateness of sanitary felling and threats to the forest in general.
