21 • 02 • 2019
Vandals Damage a Popular Recreation Site at Lake Niedrājs
Unidentified vandals have illegally cut down two 170-year-old pine trees at Lake Niedrājs – one of the most popular recreational areas in the town of Smiltene by making them fall onto the wooden footpath of JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM). The police have been informed about the violation, and have commenced investigation to find the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
In the morning of 2 February, inhabitants of Smiltene reported a possible act of vandalism at their favourite LVM recreation site near Lake Niedrājs. Normunds Vīksna, a forestry worker of Silva Forest District of LVM Eastern Vidzeme Region, arrived at the scene immediately, and found that not only had two old pine trees been cut down, but also the wooden footbridge set up by LVM on Lake Niedrājs was damaged.
“I am aware that there are considerably more people who appreciate and enjoy our resting places than those who conduct bad deeds. LVM does not carry out any economic activity in the vicinity of Lake Niedrājs by allocating this area to a natural forest habitat. Moreover, the pine trees were cut down at a place that cannot be accessed by transport. A chainsaw was purposefully carried to the resting place, then the trees with a diameter of about 40 centimetres were cut with an intention to make them fall on the footbridge. Then the chainsaw was taken away again,” Normunds Vīksna is confused about the intention of the damage.
It was only possible to finish arranging the resting place this week, when the weather became warmer and the snow blanket no longer hindered the works. The trees and their branches have been removed from the footbridge, cross-cut and placed under the arbour for a picnic camp-fire. “Nothing else can be done any more. These pines were healthy, they would have been growing for decades,” says the forest worker.
The pine trees have been removed from the footbridge, and the damage has been identified. “The footbridge will need restoration work: cover boards and beams have been broken at the beginning of the footbridge; safety railings are damaged at the elevation of the footbridge, making it unsafe for the visitors,” says Normunds Vīksna. The restoration of Lake Niedrājs wooden footbridge is planned to take place before the beginning of the active tourism season, so that those who want to relax can enjoy the beauty of nature in a safe and clean environment. Please keep order and take care of the recreation areas; in case of a violation or vandalism, please report it to LVM staff and the police.
LVM provides more than 340 free recreation places in Latvia with well-maintained wooden arbours, benches, tables and camp-fire sites. On average, 20 resting places per year suffer from vandal attacks. Usually waste bins, benches, tables and toilets are broken and damaged.
