www.pefcwatch.org > reindeer herding and forestry > logging in homelands of the Sámi > Kessi and Haippakotavaara in Paatsjoki and Hammastunturi reindeer herding co-operatives

Reindeer grazing forests being logged in 2006 in Inari, North Finland, Sámi area: Kessi, Haippakotavaara

Forestry enterprise Metsahallitus is preparing to restart logging in the disputed old-growth forests in Inari. Logging sites and roadline-plans have been marked in reindeer grazing forests in Hammastunturi and Paatsjoki reindeer herding co-operative´s areas. Metsahallitus has not negotiated with the reindeer herders about the loggings.

Hundreds of red-listed species in logging sites

There are hundreds of occurrences of red-listed species in the planned logging sites. The old-growth forests are marked for logging in wilderness of Kessi, located in eastern Inari north from Nellim and in Haippakotavaara, west from Inari. Planned logging sites are old-growth forests in natural state with their hundreds of years old trees and tree-hanging lichen. These forests are of crucial importance for reindeer herding as wintertime pastures.

Photos in this page: logging plans marked in intact old-growth forests and reindeer grazing forests by Finnish state enterprise Metsahallitus 2006.