On current and upcoming events
### Today, 22 September in many places in Latvia and Lithuania, Baltic Unity Day will be marked, commemorating the victory in the Battle of Saulė in 1236
### Forest Science Afternoon on 29 September
### 29 September – 1 October: Ķemeri National Park Traveller Days
https://www.daba.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/kemeru-nacionala-parka-celotaju-dienas-mudina-jauniem-atklajumiem
### 12 October international conference Old-growth forests in the context of climate policy: what is and what is not an old-growth forest?
### On 23 November at the LBTU Faculty of Forest and Environmental Sciences International conference Changes and solutions in environmental policy for sustainable, climate-neutral economic development
### Baloži Peat Museum Railway excursions for the 2023 season
On state issues (official)
The environment sector is to be transferred to the Ministry of Climate and Energy (KEM), and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (VARAM) is scheduled to be reorganised over the coming year, said Minister of Municipal Affairs Inga Bērziņa in an interview on the Latvijas Radio programme Krustpunktā.
Minister of Agriculture Armands Krauze has sent a letter to the Saeima Economic, Agricultural, Environmental and Regional Policy Committee, urging that the controversial amendments to the Animal Protection Law regarding new animal welfare requirements currently not be moved forward for further approval and instead be re-examined by the committee, hearing the views of all interested parties and non-governmental organisations.
Of the total 636 ha of area affected by fire, young stands account for 114 ha, while 368 ha of specially protected natural territories have burned. The highest number of forest fires, similar to previous years, was recorded in the territory under the supervision of the Riga Regional Forest District. 290 forest fires were extinguished there, which is almost half of the total number of forest fires in the country; 495 ha of forest land burned in them.
Riga Technical University (RTU) and the world's leading birch plywood product manufacturer and supplier "Latvijas Finieris" are improving their cooperation to jointly strengthen the readiness of society and the national economy for global changes.
The draft regulation has been developed as amendments to the Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 212 of 15 June 1999 "Regulations on nature reserves". The draft regulation plans to designate 75 new nature reserves and expand 6 existing nature reserve areas. As stated in the annotation to the draft regulation, the draft regulation was developed to at least partially resolve the infringement procedure No. 2019/2304 initiated by the European Commission against Latvia for failure to comply with the obligations of European Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora.
Having reviewed the Cabinet of Ministers (23-TA-621) Regulations on nature reserves, we express the following objections and oppose the further advancement of the project.
For the sixth time, JSC "Latvijas valsts meži" (LVM) is presenting awards of recognition to timber transport service providers, thereby acknowledging the achievements of collaboration partners and expressing gratitude for their hard work and the results achieved. This year, service providers in four nominated categories have also been awarded, with the presentation of awards prepared especially for this occasion.
Pellet manufacturer on last year's market events: threats overshadow the joy of million-euro profits...
On science and education
Higher agricultural education celebrates its 160th anniversary and invites alumni to meet again in Jelgava at a reunion
On hunting
The European Parliament narrowly supported the Nature Restoration Law, which has long been under discussion. This was a politically charged decision, as European Parliament elections are approaching, while a very strong lobby of farmers, landowners and foresters was also at work.
The State Forest Service has received several reports of wolf attacks on dogs. Specialists from the Service's Hunting Department urge hunting groups to report atypical wolf behaviour.
To protect pets from potential wolf attacks, specialists from the State Forest Service's Hunting Department recommend:
If wolves with atypical behaviour are spotted near a populated area, for example, those that have lost their natural fear of humans and are regularly seen wandering, inform the nearest hunting group.
On state issues (miscellaneous)
The programme's guest has been commenting on Latvian political and social processes as a political researcher and professor since the restoration of national independence. She is seen and heard relatively rarely in Latvian public media, but when she does speak, every word and thought is worth noting down and reflecting upon. She speaks in direct and clear language. She evaluates Latvian politics, politicians and events by also taking into account her own worldview and education, the foundations of which were laid in the United States, followed by an academic career in Switzerland. The breadth of her vision is as vast as the roots of her own ancestors in Latvia, from Liepāja to Jaungulbene, in the pre-war Abrene district.
The requirement for companies to mandatory prepare sustainability reports in accordance with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards, which include environmental, social responsibility, human rights and various governance aspects, will significantly change the foundations of business and affect every company that wishes to operate in the supply chains of large corporations.
If we talk about honesty, then in the category of directness, Vilis Krištopans (LPV) was unsurpassed. “Environmental organisations. And what even are environmental organisations? Who funds them? Even more absolute funding than Soros. Do they produce something, do they export something? They receive funding from abroad to hinder the normal economy from living.” Politicians are often accused of evasiveness. Well, such undisguised dislike, as expressed by Krištopans, is to some extent even refreshing, because there are no more questions.
So – someone made a decision that precisely this procedural action was decisive. What is interesting – this “someone” will face no consequences if in the end it turns out that due to lack of evidence or otherwise, the guilt for the alleged offence will not be proven. And Baiks will be able to shout from the Valmiera theatre stage or the stands of the Daliņš stadium – I am not guilty! – but the symbolic fact of the arrest itself, and therefore the suspicions, will never be erased. Never.
On returning
The South Kurzeme company SIA “Otaņķu dzirnavnieks”, known by the brand OtankiMill.eu, is reviving and developing the sugar beet growing industry in Latvia.
On the environment and related matters
https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/7135-pievienojies-tiesraidei-29-septembri-un-vero-mazo-erglu-gredzenosanu
“We will watch the progress of the lesser spotted eagle ringing work together: searching for nests, climbing the tree, and placing the rings. Eagle ringing helps to determine the lifespan of birds, migration routes, wintering grounds, as well as the size of the nesting territory and the origin of the nesting eagles,” says LVM senior environmental expert Uģis Bergmanis.
...the necessary repair work on the Lielais Liepukalns observation tower in Rāzna National Park has been completed. And already now, nature lovers once again have the opportunity to enjoy the landscapes that unfold from the highest hill in Latgale.
To enjoy the autumnal beauty of nature, SIA “Rīgas meži” invites residents to the newly restored, improved and expanded Cenas tīrelis bog boardwalk and its surroundings in the company’s Tīreļi forestry district, Babīte parish, Mārupe municipality.
Looking from the perspective of climate change, Latvia and its inhabitants are lucky, because in our latitudes, world-shaking natural phenomena happen rarely or not at all. However, this “geographical advantage” reduces our sense of responsibility towards the environment as a whole, as a result of which European climate goals are formed as a “tick-box” in the public consciousness – without action or changes in one's habits.
We must protect our border not only from illegal immigrants attempting to enter Latvia from other countries, but also from small and much harder-to-notice alien harmful organisms, which we may import with exotic plants or wooden packaging material without even realising it. Plant protection products are also often delivered on wooden pallets.
What makes birds gather in flocks, ants work synchronously, and bats move as if they were guided by some outside force? Can we attribute collective intelligence to the basis of this behaviour?
A bird shooter has appeared in Cēsis, who has injured and killed birds. The local veterinarian admitted that she has had to save not only birds recently, but also shot pets. The police have been unable to find the violent individual, and the case has now been handed over to the State Forest Service.
In 2015, it was planned to build a tunnel under Victory Park, but people, by collecting signatures at the Victory Monument on 9 May, ensured that it would not be built there. Perhaps now, when the Victory Monument is gone, it is the right time to return to the idea of building the tunnel there, rather than in the historical Torņakalns territory, where there are 150-200-year-old buildings, argued V. Gavars. This tunnel would exit near Liepājas Street, not far from Stradiņi hospital.
On public transport
A trip on public transport is considered one of the safest modes of travel, if the law is followed by both the carrier, by providing a vehicle that meets modern requirements driven by a professional driver, and by the passengers themselves.
On many interesting things
https://lvportals.lv/viedokli/354825-ir-labveligs-bridis-taisniguma-atjaunosanai-2023
On 29 August, the government approved historian, leading researcher at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences and council member Gatis Krūmiņš as the chairman of the commission for calculating damages inflicted by the occupation regime and updated the composition of the commission. The commission will continue the work entrusted to it on preparing the claim for compensation for damages.
The commission was established in accordance with the Saeima declaration of 12 May 2005 “On the Condemnation of the Totalitarian Communist Occupation Regime of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Implemented in Latvia”, by which the Parliament of the Republic of Latvia “calls upon the Russian Federation to acknowledge that the Russian Federation as the legal and political successor of the USSR is morally, legally and financially responsible for the crimes against humanity committed in Latvia and the losses caused to the Latvian State and its inhabitants during the occupation, and to fulfil its duty – in accordance with the fundamental principles of international law, to compensate the Latvian State and its inhabitants for the losses caused as a result of illegal actions”.
The main arguments for restricting trading hours are aimed, firstly, at creating a better work-life balance, an opportunity for those employed in the trade sector and the population in general to spend more time with their families, and to promote the versatile development of the human personality. A second significant area towards which the restriction of supermarket opening hours is aimed is changes in the economy that would help kick-start the local economy or promote the operations of small local food producers and traders.
Over the five years of its existence, the company's development has been fostered by participation in various projects. The idea for Rasa Botanicals began with the support of the Preiļi District Partnership Leader project for the purchase of production equipment.
“There was a question for the owner, whether he would have anything against us handing this bunker over to a museum. The owner replied – do whatever you want, so that his field is clean, so that he doesn't have a headache about whether a tractor might fall in somewhere someday,” said eyewitness Lauris Jurēvics.
During the European Heritage Days held in the first half of September, visitors could also visit the newly discovered Ļūbasts hillfort, which is located partly on land held by JSC “Latvijas valsts meži” (LVM) in Līksna parish, Augšdaugava municipality.
Current events in cartoons
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