latvia: finnish pulp factory threatens
local forests
Latvia’s
1500ha Ozolsala forest, containing trees
over 100 years old, is presently threatened
by the plans of Finnish pulp company
Metsaliitto to build a gigantic new pulp
mill in the area. Although public property,
the forest is practically being privatized
and given as a gift to Baltic Pulp, of
which Metsaliitto is a majority owner.
The IUCN has included the forest in a
network of ecological corridors within
Europe as it serves an important function
in maintaining environmental and biological
diversity in the region.
With a capacity to produce 600 000
tonnes annually, the pulp mill will harm
connected ecological corridors and
neighbouring nature sites, as well as
damaging the unique native biodiversity of
the area through air pollution, new roads
and buildings, increased traffic and the
use of chemicals. Of particular concern is
the possible release of chlorine dioxide
used in the pulping process into Latvia’s
main river, the Daugava, which runs through
adjacent nature areas. The Daugava sustains
small and medium fisheries, and its basin
is a source of drinking water for a large
number of people.
Environmentally sensitive areas such as
nearby bogs are threatened, and the
increase in acidic air pollutants will
change the forest structure, damaging
conifers and increasing defoliation. One of
the sites that will be affected is
Kalsnava, a pine plantation with a seed
gene pool for which Latvia is famous, and
an arboretum consisting of 2 382 tree
varieties. Moreover, several protected
plant species, including different types of
moss and fungi, and animal species such as
black storks, black grouse, eagles, cranes,
and corncrakes are being threatened by the
planned mill.
Friends of the Earth Latvia (VAK) is
campaigning against the pulp mill and is
aiming to get the forest assigned Natura
2000 status, making it part of the European
Commission’s network of important
ecological areas.
more information
Vides aizsardz_bas klubs- VAK,
Friends of Earth Latvia
