In line with the development plan for the “Sēlija” military training area, AS “Latvijas valsts meži” (LVM) has begun the first deforestation works on state-owned land across an area of 450 hectares. The first stage of the project to establish the new military training area is due to be completed by 2025.

Last year the Saeima passed the law on the establishment of the “Sēlija” military training area, setting its location within the territories of Jēkabpils and Aizkraukle municipalities and granting it the status of an object of national interest.

“We are carrying out deforestation works within the training area for defence purposes in accordance with the Forest Law, the associated Cabinet of Ministers regulations and the felling permits issued by the State Forest Service. Alongside the deforestation in the areas designated for the military training area, we are also carrying out maintenance work on forest roads in the adjacent state forest areas. We are likewise implementing fire safety improvements and measures to limit the spread of the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle in the area, in line with our company’s management plans,” explains Ģirts Abizārs, LVM Executive Director for Planning.

The development of the training area across 25,605 hectares is being planned so as to interfere as little as possible with the rights of private landowners and the freedom of movement of local residents – the greater part of the training area is planned on forest properties.

Since Russia’s aggression in Ukraine in 2014, and with the increased presence of allied forces in Latvia, the intensity of military exercises in Latvia has also grown. For more than 90 years, the Ādaži training area has been the largest training site in the Baltic States. At the same time, several new training areas have been established: the “Lāčusils” training area in Alūksne municipality, the “Mežaine” training area developed in Skrunda, and the “Meža Mackeviči” training area in Augšdaugava municipality. All of these training areas are in intensive use and serve as training sites for soldiers and members of the National Guard, and soldiers from allied countries train there as well.

https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/7502-lvm-sak-atmezot-platibu-jaunajam-militarajam-poligonam-selija