The Government of Estonia at its Tuesday session approved the Procedure for Reintroduction of Protected Plants, Fungi, and Animals which regulates the reintroduction of the specimens of protected plant, fungi and animal species (including ant-nests) from their natural habitat to a new habitat. The need for reintroduction of specimens of protected species may arise for instance in relation to the construction of new roads or power transmission lines in order not to destroy or damage the protected species due to such new facilities. According to Ms. Riinu Rannap, Specialist of the Nature Protection Department of the Ministry of the Environment, there have been a few occasions in Estonia where ant-nests were reintroduced since they had started to interfere with the life of local people. "The ants built their colony so close to the house that they nearly started taking over the building. With the advice and assistance of scientists, these ant-nests were re-settled further away from the dwellings," said Ms. Rannap. While planning to reintroduce specimens of the protected species, the first step should be to obtain expert assessment with the aim to learn whether the species in question can be reintroduced at all, according to Ms. Rannap. "In case the expert finds that the possibility for reintroduction exists, he will also specify the conditions under which this may be performed - whether at night or day, in autumn or spring, etc. And the whole activity should be undertaken based on the written specification of the expert of this species," said Ms. Rannap. The following of the pre-specified procedure for reintroduction will enable to reintroduce the specimens of protected species without causing damage to those. Another regulation is currently being developed which will establish punishments for cases of destroying the nests or habitats of protected species or of damaging those. According to the draft regulation, the environmental damage resulting from the destroying of ant-nests (Formica sp.), for example, is calculated to be 5000 Estonian kroon (equivalent to approximately 320 EUR) in the case of nests with their bottom diametre at the earth level exceeding one metre, and 2000 kroon (appr. 128 EUR) in the case of nests with bottom diametre below one metre. In the case of damaging such ant-nests, a compensation for damage at the rate of 500 kroon (appr. 32 EUR) per ant-nest should be paid. For additional information please contact: |
