Norwegian government decides to protect 147 km2 of coniferous forest

The Norwegian government has decided to protect a coherent area of coniferous forest of 147 km2 (14,700 ha) in the Buskerud county in Southern Norway. The municipalities and forest owners concerned together offered an area of 99 km2 for protection. The environment protection organizations demanded that an area of 200 km2 should be protected.

Mr Helge Evju, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Norwegian Forest Owners' Association, says that the Association is very disappointed that the government refused to seize the community's outstretched hand. This is a slap in the face of forest owners and the municipalities, which offered co-operation and dialogue in order to meet the requests of the government and the nature protection organizations.

The government has earlier declared its policy to be voluntary protection of coniferous forest in order to avoid conflicts with forest owners. So far this policy has been a success. In 2007 a total area of 21 km2 of productive forest was voluntarily protected.

Mr Evju says that the government's action in this matter reduces forest owners' confidence in the authorities. He seriously hopes that this is the last time that the government resorts to coercive measures and that in the future it will go in for concluding agreements with the forest owners on a voluntary basis.