Lithuanian government approves establishment of Strėvininkų reserve

The Lithuanian government on Wednesday approved a proposal by the Ministry of Environment to establish the 320-hectare Strėvininkų botanical-zoological reserve, BNS reports.

The ministry stated that current natural values in the area are not adequately protected and could be destroyed or significantly damaged by intentional or unintentional economic or other activities.

The European Commission has also initiated infringement proceedings against Lithuania for delays in designating Strėvininkų forest as a critical habitat protection area.

According to the ministry, the reserve is necessary to preserve natural values, including broadleaf and mixed forests, herb-rich spruce and alder forests, ravine and slope forests, as well as protected species of animals, plants, and fungi. These include the yellow-flowered lady’s slipper, marbled rose chafer, violet click beetle, purple flat beetle, oak capricorn beetle, lesser spotted eagle, grey wagtail, and black stork.

Private forest owners subject to restrictions will receive compensation, including a one-time average payment of €15,600 per hectare for bans on felling mature timber. Annual payments will also be made to those required to postpone logging. Their losses will be calculated as interest, targeting at least 3.5%.

The reserve will cover an area with approximately 48 hectares of old oak forests close to old-growth, 14 hectares of forested ravines and slopes, and a 6.3-hectare habitat of the violet click beetle. The site contains three natural values: two habitats and one priority beetle species for protection.

Tomas Tukačiauskas, advisor to the ministry’s Nature Protection Policy Group, previously noted that the reserve area is unique due to the valleys of two streams—Strėva and Limšius—and their tributaries, which are minimally affected by human activity. The future reserve has no homesteads, only private forests and meadows.