GIS “Okhota” Streamlines Hunting Permits and Tightens Oversight in Tambov Oblast
The new digital platform simplifies routine processes and modernizes the sector as a whole. Over time, the model could be rolled out nationwide.
Greater Efficiency
Tambov Oblast is launching a new phase of digital transformation in the management of hunting resources with the rollout of the federal geospatial information system known as GIS “Okhota.” The system is designed as a centralized digital platform that brings together services for hunters, inspectors, and government officials. Its core purpose is to automate processes, increase data transparency, simplify paperwork, and create a more efficient line of communication among all participants in the hunting sector.
As the system comes online, hunters are expected to benefit from streamlined permit applications and access to services through the national public services portal, while regional authorities gain more effective tools to monitor compliance and manage resources. For government agencies, the platform strengthens digital oversight and reduces bureaucratic friction in the management of natural resources. Overall, the project aims to improve how hunting resources are governed while accelerating the broader digital transformation of public services and environmental management.
Standardization and Data Quality
Wider adoption of GIS “Okhota” is expected to standardize hunting regulation and enforcement practices across different regions of Russia, improving transparency and operational control. The next two years are set to be an active development phase for the platform, with plans to expand its functionality. Among the options under consideration is integration with monitoring hardware, including the use of drones to analyze and survey hunting territories.
The project is primarily designed as an internal government service, so its direct export potential is limited. Even so, the experience gained could prove valuable for other countries involved in international initiatives to digitize environmental management. One of the system’s most immediate benefits is its ability to strengthen wildlife protection through faster and more structured data collection.
Nature Goes Digital
Across Russia, digital tools are playing a growing role in the management of natural resources. Unified data portals and GIS services are already used for water management, environmental protection, and ecological monitoring. In Tambov Oblast, drones support these efforts, while other regions rely on mapping platforms to combat illegal logging and monitor forest fires. Similar digital “one-stop” platforms are also being deployed to manage fishing licenses and oversee aquatic biological resources.
Toward a Nationwide Platform
The GIS “Okhota” digital platform represents a meaningful step toward automating and modernizing hunting management at the regional level. The project is focused on cutting administrative procedures and making government services more transparent and accessible.
Further development of the system’s functionality is expected through the end of 2027. Integration with other state information systems for sharing data on natural resource use remains a possibility. Over the longer term, the Tambov model could be extended across Russia, with adjustments to reflect regional conditions and priorities.
