A conversation with Jānis Belickis, Forest Management Planning Manager of the Vidusdaugava region

The Vidusdaugava region is essentially Central Latvia. How is the work in the forests progressing, and how does the “middle” look compared to the others?

The Vidusdaugava region is one of eight regions in the Latvijas valsts meži system. It covers an area of 186 thousand hectares, which changes from time to time—some areas pass into the control of the National Armed Forces, while we purchase other properties ourselves. Located within our territory is one of Latvia’s large continuous forest massifs, often referred to as the Jaunjelgava or Sēlija forests (drive 40–50 km and it’s forest, forest, forest). The largest one is probably in the Ventspils area, and ours is the second largest! On the left bank of the Daugava, there are more coniferous forests, and on the right, more broad-leaved forests, where the woods are more fragmented and not continuous. The word “vidus” (middle) in the name points to our location in Latvia, and that is why I have told my colleagues more than once: “Company meetings and other events should be held here!” Yes, Riga is the capital and the centre, but—as my colleagues also say—it is convenient to come to us in Koknese, especially from Latgale. The situation has also been eased for some time now by the new Riga-Koknese motorway.

I have been working in the industry since the early nineties. Before working at Latvijas valsts meži, I held positions as a forest ranger, a forest taxator, and a forester. When the forest management and supervision reform took place, I unhesitatingly chose a place where I could work in the forest and decide what and how to do, rather than just supervise and control.

Is the forest industry in Latvia well-organised, or…

It’s good that you’re not asking that in the form of a statement! But if the forest industry makes up 20% of the Latvian economy, I would like to hear the justification for how it could possibly be unorganised… It can always be better, that’s not the point! And overall, the forest industry’s contribution to the national economy could be much greater still. But: there must be decisions that are no longer solvable within the industry, but rather affect national policy. Of course, there are state plans, ministry plans, and the competence and responsibility of each ministry, but it often looks as if the solutions exist, but a common vision is lacking. There is a lack of an overall view, of the connections between actions in the country as a whole! It is not that any sector holds incorrect views or that the direction of development is wrong—that is not the case—but the view of things is often narrow. It’s an industry or ministry-level view, not a national one!

Throughout the development of Latvijas valsts meži, there have been situations where we have raised an issue and proposed that it be improved on a national scale. For example, the recent issue regarding drones. It is clear that people have started using drones and their numbers are growing, but there was no regulation or set of rules! Latvijas valsts meži participated in working groups and looked for solutions until a national regulation emerged. This is not the only case where, while working, we have seen a problem or an issue to be solved, got to work, and—things happened! I am pleased about that and proud of the competence of my colleagues! Over the years, the company has developed, and it is pleasant to hear from partners that they can count on us and trust us. We fulfil our promises; if we have agreed, we do it! That is the joint achievement of all our employees! Undoubtedly—it is also a matter of prestige!

Recent topical nature conservation issues. The path from forest ranger to a serious position must have provided some experience! How do forest owners live with nature?

There is a story for children and adults that I use when leading events in the forest.

In the Soviet years, whatever the economy of that system was, it was! We cannot say there was no economy at all! Society’s interest has changed, and attitudes are expressed about almost everything! Once, as an intern from the Ogre Forestry Technical School, I went to work in the forest. Back then, nobody cared what a forester did in the woods. They did what they had to do; that was their job, full stop! Those working in the forest knew their craft, and no one tried to tell them: “You are doing it wrong!” The prestige of the profession has been somewhat lost. It is good if a person has a well-founded opinion based on knowledge. But often, one hears an opinion without knowledge or understanding. If you tell such a person a professional’s perspective, it would only be understandable if what they heard were analysed and then followed by: “Yes, but I think a little differently!” If there is an opinion, this “opinion” is about everything, and outside of this “opinion”, nothing else is of interest! You don't have to listen to a representative of the industry, but listen to what Latvian scientists are saying, whose research is professional and internationally recognised! What else is there to rely on? If they say let the scientist say what they want, but I have an opinion… Well, then I suppose there is nothing to be done…

At the company, we work to tell people about ourselves! There are school programmes and forest days. Overall, the whole industry needs to do this more and more so that people understand what is happening in the forest and how to balance economic, social, and environmental aspects. People’s lifestyles are increasingly linked to cities, so what happens outside the city is harder to understand. Sometimes I think about our primary and secondary education in general, how well we manage to explain and teach what Latvia’s resources are, and what we can earn from. Of course, first and foremost, with a clever head, thinking, and innovation, but land is one of our production resources, and forestry is one of the ways of managing this land. Half of Latvia’s territory is covered by forests! Are we teaching this to the future owners of Latvia? Likewise, we often rely on historical legal norms and are unwilling to accept changes. As a result, Latvian land and forest managers lose out in competition with owners and industries in the Scandinavian and Baltic Sea regions, and Latvia as a whole loses out to other countries. Changes happen gradually; it is easier to ban something and change nothing because it is more understandable and does not require extra actions. I hope that in my own career I will experience well-thought-out and debated changes that will allow the owner to be a thoughtful manager and make wise decisions.

We involve local society and municipalities if we are talking about managing specific areas that perform a recreational function. For example, our managed forests are located in the suburbs of Ķegums. We need to understand what we expect from the areas, what we want, we develop a land management plan, and invite municipal representatives and local residents.

You also manage parks. What is your experience in this regard?

Koknese Park, which is under our supervision, is split—we manage part of it, and the municipality manages part of it. The investment in maintaining the park is shared. At the time, we correctly decided that the part of the park where the stage is located should be managed by the municipality to realise public interests, because we foresters are not going to build a stage. The joint work is successful because if you go to Koknese, one thing you will definitely visit and see is the “Likteņdārzs” (Garden of Destiny), and the next is the castle ruins and the park! The location is good for tourism, there is a lot to see, to walk around, and the Daugava is right there. The potential for tourism in Koknese is great. Speaking of parks, the second significant object we are responsible for is the Skrīveri Dendrological Park, a dendrological object of European significance. The park is more than 100 years old, and more than 100 species of trees and shrubs can be found there. It is also a place where travellers stop and go for a walk.

We have good cooperation with both the Koknese and Skrīveri tourism centres. Yes, often, when reading publications about these parks, we, Latvijas valsts meži, are not mentioned! That is not entirely fair; the company does not need advertising, but public understanding: we look after and grow not only forests but also parks and recreational areas. It is not advertising, but it would be deserved to appreciate us for the work put in!

About the guests sung about in folk songs and now photographed in night-vision cameras and mobile phones—bears! The first conversation was about the bruins in the Daudzeva area.

Bears have been spotted in both the Koknese and Jaunjelgava areas (on both banks of the Daugava). Moreover, bear tracks were occasionally spotted in Jaunjelgava as far back as the 90s. I myself successfully encountered a bear while hunting in the Tīrais Bog near Sece some time ago. It was like this: it’s getting dark, I’m sitting on the edge of a clearing, I look—something is moving. Is that a wild boar? Who thinks about a bear when hunting in Latvia? A boar… but—it’s coming noisily—crashing through! In my case, the moving silhouette “didn’t make a sound”! In the clearing, you could see a few timber extraction roads; the “silhouette” was heading across them, still, quietly, quietly… At one point, I look through the sight! Oh! That’s a bear! The feeling was strange; I know that a bear is afraid of humans, but… The encounter took place! Now, every now and then, either tracks are seen, or the bear itself, where we are tramping about! There are bears in our area!

A topical issue this year—lynx.

I wouldn't be able to say whether anyone nearby has shot one, but there are lynx—in the Nereta, Jaunjelgava, and Koknese areas! These are the large forest massifs where these big cats feel at home! I think the lynx population should be monitored, guided by the assessment and research of scientists. Regarding the potential hunting ban… Was it right to ban the hunting of woodcock and capercaillie? One could argue, but has the ban created more favourable conditions for the bird? Speaking of hunting and the discussions around it, if I am asked, I say: if one day hunters were to get offended, put their shotguns on their shoulders, and not hunt anything for five years, soon the objectors and everyone else would see the results—damage to young plantations, accidents on the roads, animals in cities. Of course, everyone can have their own view of hunting as such, and it is only good that there are different opinions. Currently, the hunter is not perceived unequivocally in society, even though they do necessary work! Another thing: currently, the landowner has little opportunity to decide whether the large number of animals is causing damage to agriculture or forestry.

Speaking of our “little brothers”, I am more worried about the European spruce bark beetle, which is becoming more and more noticeable and is being talked about ever louder. We know what is happening elsewhere in Europe, and we know the mistakes we must try to avoid. We at the company are also deliberating and planning: what needs to be done and what is necessary. I will say—this year scares me a little! Two things must be done: we must see what is happening so as not to miss anything; secondly—we must be able to react as quickly as possible by removing the relevant, damaged trees. Two things make it difficult for us foresters: we do not know what is happening in territories where other owners manage the land—we might miss something there; the second risk is protected areas. The situation is comparable to checking the contents of a petrol tank by lighting a match! I think that operations must be planned and we must not do nothing, because otherwise these areas will become incubators for the spread of insects.

City dwellers, go into the forest…

…and take someone with you who can tell you about the forest! You will learn more!

One thing is our job responsibilities and the work we do every day. The other: what colleagues do outside of working hours when meeting friends and relatives, discussing on social networks, and encountering reasonable or unreasonable, but “heated” opinions… Finding yourself alone against the other participants in a discussion is sometimes not easy. There are those who listen; it is harder with those who have an “opinion” and are not really interested in anything else! That is why I appreciate the work of my colleagues in building public understanding: what a forest is and what a forester’s work is.