Information regarding the formation of micro-reserves in Razna National Park

Following the initiative of the Nature Protection Administration Latgale Regional Administration on April 15, the Dagda municipality, Andrupené and Rezekne Municipality, Kaunatā held informative meetings on the establishment of micro-reserves in Razna National Park.
The Regional Administration of Latgale of Latvia has received 46 applications for the establishment of micro-reserves in the territory of Razna National Park. 12 of them are intended to be set up in state-owned lands, in privately owned land – 21, while 13 further micro-reserves would affect both public and private properties. From planned micro-reserves, the establishment of 40 micro-reserves is foreseen in the Nature Park of Razna National Park, 3 nature reserve zone and 3 neutral zone. Applications are prepared within the framework of the project “Provision of the protection of habitats in Razna National Park for breeding bird species that are nesting in Razna National Park” implemented by the Latvian ornithological association. The Nature Protection Administration Latgale regional administration has received objections from the owners of the land, so the meeting was organised to meet the initiator of micro-reserves, explain the issues of creation and management of micro-reserves, inform regarding compensation and search for a solution.
More than 40 land owners had arrived at Andrupené and Kaunatā, as well as representatives of local governments, State Forest Service South Latgale Forestry and Rural Support Service in South Latgale Regional Agricultural Administration and industry experts.
At the time of the event, Anda Zeize, Director of Regional Administration of Latgale, emphasized that the process of creating micro-reserves does not determine the organisation of public consultation, however, the decision-making process is extremely important for the institution as well as the position of the owners of the land. The management specialists have therefore decided to organise meetings. Within the framework of the meeting, a representative of the Latgale Regional Administration of Latgale of Latgale reported the procedure for the establishment of micro-reserves from receipt of the application until the preparation of the decision. On the other hand, Latvian ornithological association Andris Avotins told them about specially protected bird species in the territory of the national park and analysed their level of protection in the context of the existing protection regime. He explained the principles for the selection of micro-reserve areas and buffer zones, as well as highlighting the importance of bird species - umbrella species - in the forest ecosystem. Avotins informed that it was planned to create 4 micro-bans for the small eagle (Aquila pomarina), 1 - fish-eagle (Pandion haliaetus), 6-apodell (Glaucidium passerinum), 21 - white spine (Dendrocopos leucotos), 9-three-spiral dzenim (Picoides tridactylus), 3-middle-dzen (Dendrocopos medius), 1 - vista hawk (Accipiter gentilis) and 1 forest balloon (Columba eoenas). In conclusion, the representatives of the Rural Support Service explained and answered questions regarding payments of aid in cases of restrictions on forestry activity.
The Nature Protection Board thanked all participants in the meetings for their active involvement!
In order to continue the evaluation of the proposals submitted, the Bureau invites any land owner who is intending to create a micro-reserve, to express a reasoned opinion in writing, sending it to the address of Zemnieku street 16a, Rezekne, LV – 4601 or e-mail latgale@daba.gov.lv.
The information was prepared by:
Nature Protection pārvaldes
Public relations and environmental education department
Additional information:
Nature Protection pārvaldes
Latgale Regional Authorities
Head of the Nature Education Centre Razna
Regina Indriķe
Mob. tel.: 29139677