Walking along Razna and Luban Lake ice with vehicle is not allowed

In order to ensure the protection and safety of natural watercourses, water bodies and natural resources on lakes and rivers during the ice period, while reducing potential pollution and disturbance to fishermen, the Nature Protection Board (Administration) recalls that movement with mechanised vehicles – cars, tractors, motorcycles, tricycles, quasi-cyclists and mopeds – is prohibited by Razna and Luban Lake.

The only exceptions shall be permitted in cases where the movement involves the management of these areas, the supervision or the performance of national defence tasks, rescue and search works. For example, you can move through Luban to a car service provider – industrial fishing operators and tourism entrepreneurs who have received a permit issued by a local government. On the other hand, in Razna Lake, service providers can travel by ice to snow motorcycles if a permit has been received by the administration.

“Luban is the largest lake of Latvia by area and also one of the most popular sites in Latgale. In order to absorb larger lake areas, low-ice fishermen often used cars and other vehicles, however it is prohibited to do so since 2015. Inspectors who monitor compliance with the rules in specially protected areas of nature conclude that people's understanding of the matter improves and most understand the purpose of restrictions on the nature and the safety of the ice on ice, as the ice thickness with the eye is not detectable. In recent years, the number of offenders is decreasing, so that they also reduce the waste of vehicles and/or household waste in this area,” says Dagnis Vasilevskis, head of the administrative and supervisory sector of the administration Latgale regional administration.

Non-compliance with the law may be punished by up to 1 000 EURO.

Luban Lake and its surroundings are a natural reserve area. The lake and its coasts are a unique place for migratory birds and an excellent breeding site for specially protected bird species such as the small eagle, the sea eagle, the fish eagle, the northern swabs and many others.

Lake Razna is the second largest lake of Latvia. The Razna National Park was created specifically for the protection of the lake and its surroundings. A number of specially protected plant species are present in the Razna Lake Coast Bar, such as mieturu hythylene, Dortmane Lobelia, lokana, etc. The lake serves as a habitat for a variety of standing aquatic invertebrate species, such as the Green Bay, the brightly swamp, the wide airball, and a large number of waterbirds. Lake Razna is also a significant feeding area for different bats.

More information:
Diana Selecka
Nature Protection pārvaldes
Latgale Regional Administrations
Natural Education Work Specialist
Tel. 25708126
www.daba.gov.lv

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