Finding:
old-growth forest logging planned; potential violation of FFCS
criterion 36: Safeguarding of the Sámi people's traditional means
of livelihood and culture.
The reindeer
of Menesjärvi use the forests surrounded by high, treeless hills,
fjells - as their winter pasture. Due to continuous and intense logging
since the 1970’s, the winter pastures are being depleted.
Currently
the forest landscape in Menesjärvi is severely fragmented. Only two
larger forest areas remain. The FPS has decleared this year that it
will start logging in one of them. There is logging planned for over
100 hectares in the Tiivivaara and Kynsileikkaamanniemi forests, both
of which are old-growth forests in their natural state.
Local
reindeer herders have unanimously appealed to the FPS to save the
area. The logging is planned for February 2001.
Source
of information: The Finnish Nature League, interviews and field
trips.
More
information available: Translated article from the newspaper Helsingin
Sanomat November 2, 2000: "Logging row flares up again behind
Hammastunturi fjell. Forest and Park Service does not negotiate with
reindeer herders as it should." (appendix
7). An announcement of the Hammastunturi Reindeer Herders to the
Forest and Park Service October 26, 2000 (appendix
8).
Probable
buyers of the timber: Metsäliitto, StoraEnso, Vapo Timber
