... In our Republic settlement of environmental problems has always been the focus of attention of the state, national activity program on environmental protection has been adopted, numerous important works have been carried out in the direction of implementation of international ecological programs, rehabilitation and protection of natural resources, establishment of national parks, and creation of ecological network.

Heydar Aliyev

Within the implemented structural reforms in the Republic, the following bodies which engaged in environmental protection and separate aspects of use of natural resources and dealt with partly the same works in their activities were liquidated: State control committee on ecology and use of natural resources, “Azerforest” public corporation, Geology Committee, “Azerfish” State Concern, and State Hydrometeorology Committee. Consequently the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources was established under the decree no 485 by the president of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated May 23, 2001. 
Regulation of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources was confirmed under the decree no 583 by the president of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated september 18, 2001.

Decree by the president of the Republic of Azerbaijan on confirmation of regulation
regarding the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources

       I hereby resolve as follows with the purpose to provide operation of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources:
        1. To confirm the regulation on the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the
Republic of Azerbaijan ( appended ).
        2. Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan
        to confirm expenditure estimate and the number limit of employees of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources within 10 days.;
        to give recommendations on coordination of normative legal acts to this decree to the president of the Republic of Azerbaijan within a month;
to solve the issues coming from this decree.
       3. This decree enters into force from the day of its publishing.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
HEYDAR ALİYEV

       Baku city, September 18, 2001
                       № 583