The new GNP regulations define what activities are allowed or restricted in each of the park's areas. The nature conservation area in the park is expected to decrease by about 3.4% and will now cover a total area of 29,000 hectares. A new nature park area of 4,000 hectares is also being created.
"What is now a nature conservation area and will be called a nature conservation area in the future will have stricter restrictions on forestry activities. The main thingis that currently in the nature conservation area, in private properties, unless there is a forest habitat of European importance, you can carry out clear felling, but with these changes, we will prohibit clear felling in the area. This is the biggest change that may affect economic operators. GNP is a protected area and it is the only place in Latvia where clear-cutting is allowed in a protected area, which is contrary to the overall concept of nature conservation," explains Strode.
The DAP representative also points out that most of the planned nature conservation area is in state and municipal ownership, not on private land.
Meanwhile, the Forest Owners' Association is calling for a halt to the legislation, and around 150 forest owners have signed the petition.
"In our opinion, until a real compensation system is in place, such amendments should not be made. And these are approximately 8,000 hectares that are subject to zoning changes on private properties. As far as we are familiar with these amendments, we think that in most of them, these restrictions are also being reinforced. If a person can no longer carry out forestry activities at all, including reforestation, then, of course, fair compensation for such owners is absolutely necessary," said Arnis Muižnieks, the association's chief executive.
The responsible ministries are currently working on a compensation mechanism that includes land swaps and one-off compensation. However, the new GNP regulation is planned to be promoted sooner, confirms Daiga Vilkaste, Director of the Nature Protection Department at the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development. She also points out that the proposals are still being compiled and the approval process may also be delayed.
