Latvian and Canadian troops clear Jaša River in Preiļi municipality

Latvian and Canadian service members joined local residents and the Nature Conservation Agency in clearing fallen trees and debris from the Jaša River in Pelēči, Preiļi municipality, LSM reported, citing Latgale Regional Television.

The cleanup was the second organised under the “Do Good for Nature” initiative. After a six-year break, participants returned to restore the river’s natural flow and preserve valuable fast-flowing water habitats.

Nature Conservation Agency environmental education specialist Diāna Selecka said the work was difficult because of the river’s steep banks and challenging terrain. Participants removed logs and other obstacles that were blocking the free flow of water.

To protect the environment during the work, they used biodegradable oils when cutting trees, reducing the risk of oil entering the river. Selecka said the work involved sawing and pulling out logs by hand.

The organisers chose the timing carefully, holding river cleanups in the second half of July or around mid-August. The Nature Conservation Agency said this avoids the bird-nesting period and coincides with lower water levels, making it easier to work in the river.

This year, the cleanup involved members of the Latvian National Guard’s 35th Infantry Battalion and representatives of the Canadian Armed Forces. Battalion Lieutenant Viesturs Dreimanis said the unit had been invited by the Nature Conservation Agency and regarded helping other state institutions as its duty.