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October 28, 2005
Metsähallitus logs again in reindeer forests
As the moratorium on logging in the mapped forests was terminated in June, the state owned forestry enterprise Metsähallitus has started logging operations in several co-operatives' areas. The first loggings took place in August, and in October the reindeer herding co-operatives found more grazing forests marked for logging.
The co-operatives announced in their press release on 17th October that Metsähallitus had let the co-operatives know about the start of the loggings only shortly beforehand. The co-operatives had told Metsähallitus that these forests are important winter grazing grounds. Nevertheless, Metsähallitus did not negotiate about the loggings started this autumn.
Logging is not the only factor that destroys reindeer grazing grounds. Building service roads, deliberate forest burning and harrowing all deminish the forest area suitable for reindeer grazing. Less area for winter grazing means higher costs for reindeer herders as they must start feeding their reindeer. When the forests no longer support the current amount of reindeer the ministry of forestry and agriculture may lower the highest allowed number of reindeer, thereby cutting jobs provided by reindeer herding.
A forestry machine used for harrowing
Destroyed grazing forest in Matojärvenvaara
Posted by Satu Pitkanen at October 28, 2005 10:19 PM
