Geoecological problems of decentralization (on Ternopol region materials)

Abstract

The objective of the article is to study the essential geoecological problems of Ukrainian associated territorial communities. The necessity of implementation of effective environmental management, through introduction of an official responsible for improvement, ecology and sustainable development of the associated territorial communities in the administrative apparatus of communities is substantiated.The decentralization reform created a considerable potential for development of the local communities. The transmission of significant financial resources and powers provided the preconditions for the formation of competent associated communities. It was discovered during the study that despite of significant advantages of new administrative units, managerial approaches to the use and preservation of natural resources had not changed. Administration of forest, water, mineral and land resources is further carried out from the center. Practically no one cares about the main ecological problems, communities are drowning in wastes, using water polluted municipal waste with agrochemicals, and the last hectares of forests are being cut down and used as energy resources. In context of sustainable development, the priority issues to be solved for 38% of the communities in Ternopil region are the issues of an ecological nature the issues of an economic nature are priority for 34% of communities and the issue of the social nature – of 28% of comminities. In Ternopil region, as in one of the leaders in decentralization reform, 78% of community leaders consider high-quality water supply to be much more important than availability of cooperative or lighting of the streets. The most actual in regional communities are issues concerning sorting and utilization of wastes, lack of treatment facilities and an outdated drainage system.The article proposes amendments to the Article 19 of the Law of Ukraine «On Environmental Protection», regarding the extension of powers of village, settlement, city councils as well as associated territorial communities in the field of Environmental protection. The necessity of introduction the position of ecologist responsible for improvement, ecology and sustainable development of the community is substantiated. His duties are the following: monitoring of components of the environment; struggle with the illegal landfills, regulation of processes of economical nature management; optimization of land use; control of rational water use, preparation of a submission for the creation of new protected objects of local importance; creation of recreational and green zones.