ИСТИНА

The Makazhoy Hollow, a region of ecological and cultural significance in southeastern Chechnya within the Vedensky Zakaznik and Argun Museum-Reserve, exemplifies the interplay between traditional practices and evolving institutional contexts. This research investigates land use transformation stages in the Hollow, influenced by shifts in land ownership, economic strategies, and socio-cultural factors. Its contribution lies in informing sustainable master planning for mountainous areas, integrating heritage conservation with local economic growth. Based on historical geography and landscape ecology methods, the study analyzed archival materials, cartographic sources, multi-temporal satellite imagery, and field data, including geobotanical descriptions and local interviews. Historical periodization identified key land use stages: traditional (19th–early 20th centuries), characterized by extensive animal husbandry and agriculture; Soviet (1920s–1980s), driven by ethnic resettlements and collectivization; post-Soviet (1990s–early 21st century), marked by regional conflict and land use decline; and modern (2000s onwards), associated with tourism and partial recovery. Institutional factors significantly shaped land use across these phases. The study concludes that land use change in the Makazhoy Hollow is a complex process shaped by interacting environmental, economic, social, and institutional factors. Sustainable development requires integrating historical knowledge, preserving traditional livelihoods, promoting tourism, and creating effective land governance to protect natural and cultural heritage. The results inform sustainable development strategies and land-use planning in similar mountainous areas.