Worth knowing! Upcoming and current events
https://www.zm.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/turpmakajiem-pieciem-gadiem-pielaujamais-cirsanas-apjoms-valsts-meza-galvenaja-cirte-samazinats-par-95-procentiem
On Tuesday, 21 January, the government approved an order on the maximum permissible volume of tree felling for 2026–2030, setting it for the next five years for final felling in state forests.
https://www.youtube.com/watch
The news that large areas of Latvian forest have come up for sale has attracted wide attention. Their combined area is estimated at around 2% of the country's territory. The questions are why the owners want to sell these forests, whether the state should take the opportunity to acquire them, and how such a transaction could be carried out and financed.
https://www.db.lv/zinas/vai-latvijas-mezu-nosargasana-ir-privato-ipasnieku-vai-valsts-rokas-519772
A considerable share of these forests lies close to the country's eastern border, which underlines the need to keep these areas within the Western added-value chain and, preferably, in the hands of local owners.
https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/7132-lvm-izstrada-algoritmu-bojajumu-apzinasanai-eglu-mezaudzes
As damage caused by the European spruce bark beetle increased across the area it manages, AS “Latvijas valsts meži” began work last year on developing an algorithm to identify potentially damaged spruce stands, so that operations to limit bark beetle damage in the stands concerned can be planned over the long term.
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/latvija/24.01.2025-kamer-gatavo-istras-dabas-parka-planu-pagasta-mezizstrade-divkarsojas.a584968/
The property of Vladimirs, a resident of Vecslabada, lies right on the shore of Lake Dziļezers, and now, with the creation of the Istra Nature Park, the lake's shoreline strip has been included in the park's territory. Sitting at a computer in the local library, Vladimirs has been trying to work out which zone his property actually falls into — land he has managed in the past, clearing scrub and dead trees. Now the owner is unsure whether he will be allowed to do so at all.
https://www.delfi.lv/bizness/37264250/biznesa_vide/120058659/izbeigts-stali-tiesiskas-aizsardzibas-process
The legal protection proceedings of SIA “Staļi”, a wood processing company registered in Cēsis municipality, have been terminated, according to information from “Lursoft IT”. The legal protection proceedings, initiated in September last year, were terminated because the plan was not supported by the majority of creditors specified in Section 42, Paragraph three of the Insolvency Law.
https://www.db.lv/zinas/koka-mebelu-eksports-11-menesos-samazinajies-par-82-519705
Latvia's exports of wooden furniture in the first 11 months of last year fell by 8.2% compared with the same period in 2023, with Denmark still the largest market for wooden furniture.
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/ekonomika/24.01.2025-dabas-sargiem-bazas-par-eiropas-nozimes-biotopu-izcirsanu-valsts-mezos.a584937/
It is very important for the sector as a whole — for the timber industry and forestry — that these maximum ceilings have been set. In this case the industry objected strongly to the idea that we would go to 35% or 40%, and perhaps end up deciding to protect half of Latvia's territory. That would have an enormous impact on the economy
https://dzirkstele.lv/vietejas-zinas/gulbenes-novada-pasvaldibai-nozagts-mezs/
The State Police have received a submission from Gulbene municipal council stating that 392 cubic metres of timber have been stolen from the municipality's forest over an area of 2.1 hectares. The offence is thought to have been committed in December 2024.
Official matters
https://www.zm.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/aizvadita-pirma-lauksaimniecibas-konsultativas-padomes-sede-sogad
The past two years have been difficult for farmers — among other things, farm operations were affected by severe drought, rising energy prices and the supply chain disruptions caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. These factors have had a significant impact on harvest volumes, increased production costs and made it harder to sell produce.
https://www.vaad.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/izmainas-augu-aizsardzibas-lidzeklu-registra-4
Eighteen new chemical plant protection products have been entered in the register of plant protection products. The registration period has been extended for several plant protection products.
On wolves and hunting
https://www.zm.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/turpina-palielinaties-vilku-postijumi-saplositi-suni-un-majlopi-zemkopibas-ministrija-aicina-parskatit-vilku-medibu-nosacijumus
The number of wolf attacks on farm animals and dogs about which the State Forest Service (VMD) has received and verified information has risen significantly over the past five years. The actual number of wolf attacks is most likely higher, since some people do not report wolf attacks to the VMD.
On and around the environment
https://www.varam.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/varam-biologiskas-daudzveidibas-saglabasanai-ir-nepieciesams-stingri-aizsargat-dabas-vertibas-10-latvijas-teritorijas
During the nature census, almost 1.3 million hectares were surveyed, and 58 of the 61 European Union habitat types found in Latvia were recorded. This has yielded substantial information about meadows, bogs, forests, rivers and other natural assets. These data serve not only as a basis for planning future nature conservation measures, but also help Latvia take an effective part in European Union nature conservation and restoration initiatives.
https://www.daba.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/dabas-aizsardzibas-parvaldi-turpmak-vadis-laura-anteina
From 20 January this year, Laura Anteina will take up the post of Director General of the Nature Conservation Agency (DAP); until now she has been Deputy Director General of the State Environmental Service for strategic development and control matters.
https://www.diena.lv/raksts/videunturisms/dabasdiena/jaunais-gads-vides-politikas-joma-14329979
Support and commitment from the Ministry of Agriculture would be very much needed for restoring biologically valuable grasslands and increasing their area, which goes hand in hand with support for nature-friendly and extensive livestock farming.
https://www.silava.lv/aktualitates/lvmi-silava-podkasta-jauna-epizode-latvijas-vegetacija-un-ezeru-salu-biologiska-daudzveidiba
Māris Laiviņš, leading researcher at LSFRI “Silava”, is one of Latvia's foremost scientists in the study of biological diversity and forest ecosystems.
https://www.aprinkis.lv/index.php/sabiedriba/pasvaldibas/58431-valsts-vides-dienests-saskanojis-buvprojektu-kangaru-cela-parbuvei
On 17 January the State Environmental Service (VVD) approved the construction design for the reconstruction of the Kangari road, that is, the reconstruction of the Riga–Ērgļi state regional road between kilometres 30.27 and 43.32, VVD head of public relations Aija Jalinska said.
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/dzive--stils/vide-un-dzivnieki/22.01.2025-vienam-labas-otram-sliktas-ar-ko-ipasas-maz-petitas-2025-gada-dzivotnes-malas.a584675/
Edges are unusual habitats where two different ecosystems meet. They may be river edges, roadsides, forest edges or field margins. There are species of animals, birds and other organisms that avoid edges, but there are also species for which edges are extremely important for survival.
https://rigazoo.lv/ari-apkakles-pekari-parcelsies-uz-rigas-zoologiska-darza-filiali-ciruli/
The information circulating publicly that all the peccaries were to be euthanised was not Riga Zoo's final decision, but one of four courses of action considered. Euthanasia of animals is also used in some of the world's leading zoos, where it allows the populations of the species kept there to be maintained in good health, or financial and other resources to be redirected to species whose conservation is in greater need of human help.
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/dzive--stils/vide-un-dzivnieki/18.01.2025-meza-un-cilveka-attiecibas-kas-jasaudze-lai-tas-butu-sugam-bagats.a583906/
Holes chiselled out by woodpeckers are easier to spot than those formed naturally. If a fresh hole in a tree is low down, at eye level, it can be noticed quickly. But in an old forest, tree holes may also be very high up.
Well, well!
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/kultura/kino-foto-un-tv/23.01.2025-straumei-divas-oskara-nominacijas-animacijas-un-starptautisko-filmu-kategorija.a584682/
Director Gints Zilbalodis's animated film Straume has become the first Latvian film to be nominated for an Academy Award, or Oscar, and it will compete in two categories — best animated feature and best international film.
https://www.lasi.lv/par-svarigo/sports/rfs-futbolisti-riga-uzvar-slaveno-ajax.24192
On Thursday, in the seventh round of the UEFA Europa League group stage at the Daugava Stadium, Latvian football club RFS beat the famous Dutch side Ajax of Amsterdam 1–0 (0–0). RFS's goal was scored by Adams Marhijevs.
Miscellaneous
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/arzemes/17.01.2025-lietuvas-valsts-aizsardzibas-padome-nolemj-2026-2030-gada-aizsardzibai-atvelet-5-6-no-ikp.a584081/
Lithuania has thus become the first NATO member state to commit to reaching the 5% target set by incoming US President Donald Trump. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys has called on the other allies to follow their example.
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/dzive--stils/vide-un-dzivnieki/23.01.2025-iesalusi-kugi-un-ledus-kravumi-krasta-sen-neredzeti-kur-palicis-ledus-baltijas-jura.a584402/
Seven years have passed since the last time ice covered most of the Gulf of Riga. A large part of the open sea, meanwhile, last froze over 13 years ago now.
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/dzive--stils/vide-un-dzivnieki/18.01.2025-sarezgitajam-objektam-kaniera-ezeram-mekle-jaunu-apsaimniekotaju.a584052/
If billows of smoke can be seen over Lake Kaņieris in winter, it is because reeds are being cut and burned.
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/ekonomika/18.01.2025-pie-vertigas-zemes-tika-par-sviestmaizi-vulkana-zemi-iegust-mazpazistams-uznemums.a584200/
In this case it is privatisation, and the law on completing privatisation lays down the procedure for how it takes place. On that basis there are also Cabinet of Ministers regulations under which this price is determined. It is set by the State Land Service.
https://www.lasi.lv/par-svarigo/projekti/sarezgita-latvija-aizvertie-ugunsdzeseju-posteni-ka-sabiles-iedzivotaji-pasi-nodrosina-drosibu.23854
It is playing with fire — until some tragic outcome. The clever heads in power should not have endangered the public with stunts like this.
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/latvija/21.01.2025-jelgavas-novada-dzires-noved-pie-plana-lugt-valstij-2-miljonu-eiro-aizdevumu-operativiem-teriniem.a584432/
Many also worry that residents' councils could become a platform for new politicians. But I don't think that is something to fear, because in Latvia political participation is still far too low and people should get involved. What I do see here is another problem — a very high proportion of residents' council members are people who work for local government.
https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/latvija/21.01.2025-kuldigas-puse-varmes-iedzivotaju-padome-jau-keras-pie-darba-citur-vietejie-ir-kutri.a584422/
Kuldīga municipal council is again inviting people to apply to join residents' councils, which operate on a voluntary basis. At present, residents' councils are functioning successfully in only three of the municipality's parishes — Ēdole, Īvande and Vārme. Candidates have come forward in other parishes too, but not in sufficient numbers for council elections to be called, the local authority said.
https://zz.lv/depo-vieta-zalais-parks/
We are artists and we do not take into account what property rights have been established at 2 Cukura Street. We considered how this landscape, with its view of Jelgava's historic centre, ought in our view to be developed.
Current affairs in cartoons
https://www.lasi.lv/par-svarigo/karikatura/zime-gatis-sluka-viru-koris-nauduvaig.24106
https://www.diena.lv/raksts/diena-citi/karikaturista-skats/trampa-orkans-atkartojas-14330104
https://www.lasi.lv/par-svarigo/karikatura/zime-gatis-sluka-dronkeraji.24040
https://www.diena.lv/raksts/diena-citi/karikaturista-skats/lidosta-un-droni-14330236
https://www.diena.lv/raksts/diena-citi/karikaturista-skats/trampa-zemudene-14330172