|
SALLA,
EASTERN LAPPLAND
Summer
1999: Public
discussion begins
The Forest
and Park Service logging in Salla municipality, Lappland, was a common
topic in summer 1999 in Finland. After an article by journalist Tapio
Mainio published in Helsingin Sanomat on June 20, the discussion continued
in the viewers' pages. According to the Helsingin Sanomat article,
the Forest and Park Service logs old-growth forests also in high altitude
areas, were there is no guarantee of forest regeneration.
Hikers
have been annoyed with the logging along the popular UKK-hiking trail.
Loggings have taken place in Northern and Southern Salla (Tuntsa-Naruska
and Aihkipetsi areas, respectively). Discussion raged at internet
newsgroups.
Tuntsa-Naruska
and Aihkipetsi were not the only areas where the governmental Forest
and Park Service was logging in 1999 and 2000. Primeval spruce forests
near border of Savukoski were also being logged, reported a nature
photographer to the Finnish Nature League office.
>>>
Photos from Aihkipetsi and Savukoski border
Winter
2000: Logging continues in Tuntsa, Northern Salla
This
winter, the Forest and Park Service started logging tens of hectares
of high altitude forest in Aitatsivaara in Tuntsa area. The logging
site is situated over 300 meters above sea-level.
Photos
on the following page have been taken in February 2000. The Forest
and Park Service logs trees of many hundred years for pulping.
Some
forests are still waiting to be logged. Clearcuts of over 40 hectares
have been planned to these spruce-dominant forests.
>>>
MAP about Aitatsivaara logging 1998-2000
>>>
PHOTOS about Aitatsivaara logging in February 2000
>>>
SCENERIES from Tuntsa-Naruska area: Threatened forests in April 1999
Reindeer
herders oppose the logging
The reindeer
owners' association of Northern Salla is against the logging. The
lichen growing on spruce brances in old-growth forests are very important
for the reindeer. The logging destroys this important source of nourishment.
>>>
Map
of Tuntsa-Naruska area by the Northern Salla reindeer owners' association
More
information on Salla:
Mr Matti
Ikonen, ikonen(@)sll.fi, tel. +358-400-25
77 55
|
