Nellim Reindeer Herders Ordered to Pay 100,000 Euros in Damages
(Pic. Helsingin Sanomat) Three Sami reindeer herders from Nellim, in Northern FInland have just lost their case against the Finnish state forestry giant Metsahallitus in the Lapland District Court. The reindeer herders argued that the logging practices of Metsahallitus was destroying reindeer pastures - ground lichen and hanging tree lichen and were not only threatening their livelihood as reindeer herders, but also their ability to practice Sami reindeer husbandry and maintain their Sami culture.
The regional newspaper Lapin Kansa reported (Aug 1, 2008) that the herders had lost their case and were ordered to pay a total of 100,000 Euros in damages and court fees. The case revolved around a 27 ha area South of Lake Inari in the Ivalo Reindeer Herding District. The herders (who are Sami) did not have the support of the reindeer herding district of which they are a member. Metsahallitus claimed that they would lose 160,000 Euros annually were they not allowed log this area. Metsahalltus argued that they had no responsibility to guarantee the income of other users of the state forests and the court agreed.
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Posted: August 5th, 2008 under Finland, Forestry, conflict.
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