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Lithuanian Lawmakers Consider Allowing Hunting in Reduced Areas
🇱🇹 Lithuania /Economy & Trade

Lithuanian Lawmakers Consider Allowing Hunting in Reduced Areas

From Delfi · (12m ago) Lithuanian

Translated from Lithuanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A proposal in the Lithuanian Seimas suggests allowing hunters to continue hunting in areas where their hunting grounds have been reduced below 1,000 hectares due to government decisions.
  • The proposal aims to accommodate hunters' interests when areas like military polygons or nature reserves expand, shrinking existing hunting grounds.
  • The amendment, if passed, would allow for hunting in these smaller plots, provided they were reduced in size by government or Seimas decisions, and would take effect from July 1.

A proposal gaining traction in the Lithuanian Seimas seeks to address a growing concern among the nation's hunting community: the shrinking of hunting grounds due to government expansion projects. Member of the Democratic faction "Vardan Lietuvos," Kęstutis Mažeika, has put forth an amendment that would allow hunters to continue their activities even if their designated hunting areas fall below the legally mandated 1,000 hectares, provided this reduction is a result of decisions made by the government or the Seimas itself.

Tais atvejais, kai medžioklės plotas sumažėja dėl Vyriausybės ar Seimo priimtų sprendimų iki mažiau nei 1 tūkst. hektarų, siūlau išlaikyti galimybę medžioti tame mažesniame medžioklės plote

— Kęstutis MažeikaExplaining the core of his proposed amendment to the hunting law.

Mažeika highlighted that this issue is particularly pressing in areas affected by the expansion of military training grounds, nature reserves, or urban development. He pointed out that such expansions, along with infrastructure projects like "Via Baltica" or "Rail Baltica," have put significant pressure on hunting territories, threatening their very existence. The amendment is not about creating new hunting grounds but about preserving the viability of existing ones that have been diminished by official policy. This is crucial for the continued operation of hunting clubs and associations, which are an integral part of Lithuania's rural fabric.

Miestų, infrastruktūros plėtra, aplink miestus esantys rajonai ypač didelį spaudimą daro medžioklės plotams, atsiranda tikrai nemaža grėsmė, kad tokie plotai gali visiškai išnykti

— Kęstutis MažeikaHighlighting the pressures leading to the reduction of hunting areas.

The proposal has garnered support from various quarters, including conservative MP Arvydas Pocius, who acknowledged the problem, citing examples related to the Pabradė training ground and the "Via Baltica" project. Pocius noted that while the number of such cases might not be large, the situation warrants "certain corrections" to accommodate the legitimate interests of hunters, who are a part of society. The amendment, which has already passed its initial reading with strong support, is now set for further review by relevant committees and is expected back in the Seimas in June, with a proposed effective date of July 1.

Tai šiuo atveju, manyčiau, yra turbūt turimas omenyje Kapčiamiesčio poligono steigimas. Tai yra aktualus klausimas. Kadangi medžiotojai yra mūsų visuomenės dalis, manau, kad tikrai į jų tokią situaciją reikėtų atsižvelgti.

— Arvydas PociusCommenting on the relevance of the proposal, particularly in light of new polygon developments.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Delfi in Lithuanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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