Long-running Lapland logging dispute ends in agreement

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A logging dispute that has been simmering for years in Nellim in the far north of Finnish Lapland has been brought to an end. The dispute was between Metsähallitus, a state enterprise that supplies wood to the Finnish forest industry, and local reindeer herders.
      Metsähallitus has now agreed to refrain from logging operations in the disputed area of Finnish Lapland for the next 20 years. An agreement was signed on Monday.
     
The agreement signed by Metsähallitus and three reindeer herders from Nellim applies to an area of 27,000 hectares, some 16,000 of which will be declared off-limits to forest management operations.
      ”These are forests in which no previous forestry operations have been carried out”, says Regional Director Kii Korhonen from Metsähallitus.
      According to the agreement, Metsähallitus may continue timber felling and other forest management operations in forests that will be left outside the conservation area.
      Metsähallitus stopped felling in the disputed forests in 2005 when some reindeer herders demanded a court decision to prohibit logging in specified winter pastures in the Nellim area.
      The Lappi District Court dismissed the reindeer herders’ motion more than a year ago, after which they took their case to the Rovaniemi Court of Appeal. The court proceedings were to resume at the Court of Appeal in September.
     
In addition to rescuing the valuable forest area, the agreement will make it possible to continue traditional reindeer herding in the natural grazing grounds in the Nellim region.
      Kalevi Paadar of Nellim has been the most prominent reindeer herder to fight against felling. In his opinion, logging destroys horsehair lichen that is the most important source of nutrients for reindeer in late winter. Simultaneously, forest management activities drastically reduce the amount of ground lichen, too, he adds.
      Kalevi Paadar and his brothers Veijo and Eero took the dispute to the United Nations Human Rights Committee, and in 2005 the Committee recommended that felling should be suspended in the reindeer herding areas.
     
Greenpeace, which has taken the side of the reindeer herders in the battle, is satisfied with the agreement between Metsähallitus and the reindeer herders of Nellim, as it will prevent logging in the natural forests in Ivalo’s area of Nellim for the next 20 years.
      ”As a result of long campaigning and court proceedings, it has been possible to rescue these valuable forest areas. We have every reason to be happy about the negotiated settlement”, says forest specialist Sini Harkki from Greenpeace.
      In 2005, Greenpeace set up an international forest rescue station in Paadarskaid in Inari.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Felling stopped at Nellim in Finnish Lapland after UN intervention (17.11.2005)

Links:
  Metsähallitus press release, 24.8.2009: Metsähallitus and reindeer herders reconciled at Nellim

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