K-6. Karsikkojärvi, Kuivajärvi; Suomussalmi

Finding: old-growth forest logging allowed and planned, cultural and scenic values destroyed.

Over 40 hectares of old-growth forest clearcut and planned to be clearcut by the FPS. Some of the logging was completed in October 2000 and the rest has been planned to be logged in the winter of 2000/2001.

The logging takes place in an area that has been proposed to become a ”Scenic Area” as a part of the planned Kalevala Park. The FPS logged a part of the forests while the local people prepared an official proposal of the "Scenic Area" in co-operation with the regional council of Kainuu.

The village of Kuivajärvi belongs to the so-called Viena Karelian Folklore Villages and holds major cultural value.

Source of information: discussions with the FPS in 2000, minutes of the provincial government, local contacts.

Documented buyer of the timber: StoraEnso, photos of the labelled log piles.

Probable buyer of the timber: UPM-Kymmene.

www: The Viena Karelian Folklore Villages in English

Old-growth logs of the forest giant Stora Enso labelled for the Kemi mills. The clearcut, made in a proposed Scenic Area, represents the average logging style of the Forest and Park Service in the Kainuu district.

NEXT: K-7. The area of Kukkuri, Hyrynsalmi

>>> Case studies in Kainuu

K-1. Hammasvaara, Kuhmo
K-2. Iso-Kolkko, Kuhmo
K-3. Alannesuo-Raatevaara, Suomussalmi
K-4. Saarijärvi, Suomussalmi
K-5. Lapinlamminvaara, Suomussalmi
K-6. Karsikkojärvi, Kuivajärvi; Suomussalmi
K-7. The area of Kukkuri, Hyrynsalmi
K-8. Pieni Tuomivaara - Ukko-Halla, Hyrynsalmi
K-9. Rehvelinjärvi, Hyrynsalmi
K-10. Malahvia, Suomussalmi
K-11 Vattuvaara, Kuhmo
K-12. The forests south of Elimyssalo, Kuhmo
K-13. Petro, Hyrynsalmi