Lithuania establishes Strėvininkų botanical-zoological reserve

Lithuania has established the Strėvininkų botanical-zoological reserve, a state-protected area spanning 320 hectares in the Kaišiadorys district, the Environment Ministry announced.

The reserve, the 33rd of its kind in the country, will ensure necessary protection measures for the Strėvininkų forest, which is part of the EU’s Natura 2000 ecological network.

“The Strėvininkų reserve will protect one of Lithuania’s most natural forest territories. It is unique because it includes the valleys of the Strėva and Limšius streams and their tributaries, and the area has remained almost untouched by humans. As a result, ancient forests with preserved natural properties, natural valleys, and rare species still thrive here,” Environment Minister Kastytis Žuromskas said in a statement.

The reserve will safeguard natural habitats of EU importance and protected species, including the yellow-flowered globe thistle, the marbled rose chafer, the violet click beetle, the purple flat beetle, the oak hermit beetle, the scarlet dragonfly, the lesser spotted eagle, the grey heron, and the black stork.

About 48 hectares of the reserve consist of mature oak forests, while roughly 6.3 hectares host a population of violet click beetles. Estimates suggest the protected area is home to about 1% of this beetle species found in Lithuania.

The reserve contains no homesteads but includes 118 private land plots, most designated for forestry. Owners of these plots will receive compensation for restrictions on economic activities.

According to the ministry, Lithuania currently has 412 state nature reserves, covering 18.56% of the country’s territory.

Reporting by LRT.