The Government of Estonia today approved the second phase of the state programme "Natura 2000 in Estonia" for 2003-2007. According to Ms. Kadri Möller, Chief Specialist of the Nature Protection Department of the Ministry of the Environment, potential sites for the Natura 2000 network have been preselected and a database concerning those has been compiled during phase I. During phase II, the focus will be on the organization of protection and management for those areas. As of January 1, 2003, the Natura 2000 database in MapInfo format contained 409 potential areas. In 51 cases of those, the outside boundaries of the preselected areas coincide with boundaries of the existing protected areas, 194 of the preselected areas would imply the expanding of existing protected areas, and 154 preselected areas are located outside currently protected areas. To date, the process has developed quite calmly according to Ms. Möller, hopefully this will also be the case with the establishing of new special areas of conservation. The existence of a Natura 2000 network in itself does not pose considerable restrictions to anyone’s activity. In a Natura area, it should be secured that the habitat types and habitats of species for which the area has been established would remain in a favourable conservation status. Activities may be continued as earlier, however, the state of the area must not be drastically changed. Besides, Natura 2000 offers possibilities for development of rural life. The Estonian government provides support for management (mowing and grazing) and restoration of seminatural grasslands. In addition to that, it will become possible to use European Union assistance for performing nature conservation activities in Estonia - of those, Estonia is already eligible for the EU LIFE-Nature programme. In the current EU member states, possibilities provided through rural development plans and the EU structural funds are also used for organizing the protection of Natura 2000 areas. The Natura 2000 network itself provides additional opportunities for the development of nature tourism and biodynamic agriculture. By 2007, the protection of the Natura 2000 network should have been approved. "Of course, one cannot be 100 % sure of that as the list of selected sites has not been approved yet for any current EU member state. To date, the European Commission has only approved such lists for the Canary Islands, the Acores, and the island of Madeira. The rest of the member states need to continue proposing additional Natura 2000 sites in order to meet the requirements of the EU nature protection directives and achieve the preservation of the habitat types and species in the long term," said Ms. Möller. Shortly before accession to the European Union, the Government of Estonia will approve the list of Estonian potential Natura 2000 sites and by the date of accession, the approved list together with the respective database and maps will be submitted to the European Commission. The state programme "Natura 2000 in Estonia" for 2003-2007 was initiated with governmental regulation in 2000 with the aim to establish a Natura 2000 network in Estonia meeting the requirements of the EU Birds Directive and Habitats Directive (on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora). For additional information please contact: |
