Finding:
old-growth forest logging planned.
Parts
of the Pieni Tuomivaara – Ukko-Halla old-growth forest have been found
to be a habitat for flying squirrel (Pteromys volans). Forestry
road construction into the forest is planned to start in 2001. Once
the road construction is finished the area will be fragmented by clearcutting
and thinning.
Pieni
Tuomivaara - Ukko-Halla is also an important recreation area being
situated next to the centre of Hyrynsalmi and the skiing resort of
Ukko-Halla: the UKK Hiking Trail and cross-country skiing trails pass
through the area.
The local
nature conservation association has expressed their concern on the
planned logging and they consider these forests important for nature-oriented
tourism.
Source
of information: discussions with the FPS, the regional radio channel
Kainuun Radio and the newspaper Kainuun Sanomat in November 2000,
local contacts.
Probable
buyers of the timber: StoraEnso, UPM-Kymmene.
