To clarify the administrative classification of specially protected avenues and dendrological plantings (DP) in accordance with the Law on Administrative Territories and Populated Areas, while simultaneously refining territorial boundaries and updating their cartographic materials, new Cabinet (MK) regulations have been adopted. They establish a few new specially protected nature areas, as well as revoke or alter the protection status of several existing areas.

The new Cabinet Regulation No. 143 of 28 March 2023, “Regulations regarding protected avenues”, clarifies the administrative classification of protected avenues, updates cartographic materials, and assigns the status of a protected avenue to three avenues (Rozališķi avenue, Gaujiena “Vārpu” larch avenue, and Briežmuiža larch avenue), which are currently designated as protected DP, in accordance with Cabinet Regulation No. 131 of 20 March 2001, “Regulations regarding protected dendrological plantings”.

Furthermore, based on proposals prepared by the Nature Conservation Agency and experts, the newly adopted regulations remove the Pope Manor avenue, which is part of the “Pope Manor Park” DP, and the Kalēti avenue, which is part of the “Kalēti Park” DP, from the list of protected avenues.

Cabinet Regulation No. 144 of 28 March 2023, “Regulations regarding protected dendrological plantings”, clarifies the administrative classification of protected DPs, updates the cartographic material for all DPs, and refines the boundaries of 14 DPs – Auseklis Ramats Jurģukalns DP, Kalēti Park (the DP is being merged with the Kalēti Forest Park DP and the “Kalēti avenue” protected avenue), Krote Park, Indrāni Park, Lielvārde Park, Pamūša Park, Stelpe DP, Zlēkas Park, Cēre Park, Vāgners Garden, Bauņi Park, Hoftenberga Park, Brenguļi Čiekurži DP, and the Opera Theatre Artists’ DP in “Līgotnes”, Inčukalns.

Protection status has been granted to four new DPs: Kazdanga Park, Eleja Park, Pope Manor Park, and Ēdole Park. Conversely, the protection status is changing for three DPs – Rozališķi Park, Gaujiena “Vārpu” larch avenue, and Briežmuiža larch plantings (following an expert proposal, protection status is maintained only for the avenue section included within the DP). However, protection status is henceforth revoked for six DPs – Lagzdene Park, Ulmāle Park, Kalēti Forest Park (which will henceforth be part of the “Kalēti Park” DP), Naujene Forestry exotic tree plantings, Ilzene Park, Tukums Lauksargi DP, and Priekuļi Park.

The regulations were prepared in a new version because the volume of amendments exceeded 50% of the original text of the legal act.