Community faces fine for cleaning up decades-old dump site

A rural community in Lithuania’s Anykščiai district that transformed an abandoned dump site into a recreational space may now face penalties, as authorities have ordered the removal of all structures due to unauthorized use of state land, LRT reports.

The area in Vikoniai village had been a dumping ground for over 40 years, filled with tires, toilets, gas cylinders, and other waste. Almantas Kazlauskas, head of the local community, said they removed around 12 tons of trash—enough to fill 12 trailers. Local resident Palma Patumsienė recalled that the site was so overgrown with waste that her husband had to use an excavator just to clear a path for cattle.

After cleaning the area, the community installed a volleyball court, benches, and sports equipment at their own expense, creating a gathering space for events and leisure. However, the State Territorial Planning and Construction Inspection received a complaint alleging the recreational area was built illegally on state land. Inspectors confirmed the violation and ordered the removal of all structures.

Residents expressed frustration, noting that the same authorities took no action when the site was a dump. “It’s unfair. They only noticed when we fixed it up,” said Patumsienė. Another local, Juozas Mačys, questioned the logic: “How is a bench considered illegal construction?”

The community has sought support from local institutions. Anykščiai elder Audronė Zdanevičienė suggested the National Land Service could allocate the plot for community use, but this would require coordination with the municipality. Without a solution by December, the structures must be dismantled.

The State Territorial Planning and Construction Inspection stated that cleaning the area does not grant the right to use undeveloped state land. State land can only be used in accordance with legal regulations, and any development must be pre-approved by the municipality.