zemeunvalsts.lv commentary

An article written in 2017 leads to the conclusion: anyone can be concerned (about something), but experience, understanding and knowledge are what “make” these concerns well-founded. The fact that the ministry, whose employees are supposedly responsible for the environment and regional development, has treated and will continue to treat those people who ensure both environmental sustainability and regional development through their work quite frivolously and superficially, was already foreseeable five years ago. One wonders if the ministry's strategy has truly been to confirm these hunches and concerns at any cost?

A project with the romantic name “Nature Census” has begun in the country. Landowners know that this refers to the launch of the project “Inventory of protected habitats of European Union importance in Latvia”. It will be implemented by the association of persons “SIA Estonian, Latvian & Lithuanian Environment (ELLE) and the Latvian Fund for Nature (LDF)”. It seems that the data obtained during the mapping of key habitats in the late nineties is now considered old and everything must be started anew. But perhaps a new generation of nature lovers and experts has grown up since the previous mapping, who also wish to participate in the absorption of funds—which are primarily European Union funds—and are therefore seeking and happily finding ever new profitable activities.

The habitat inventory will cost 9.5 million euros. Therefore, it is no surprise that there is enough for a philosophical survey “What does nature mean to a Latvian?”, for hiring a public relations firm, for the unveiling of the “Great Nature Counters”, and for other activities, not to mention approximately one hundred and seventy nature experts who will be guaranteed work and remuneration over several years.