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Here in Lapland’s Reindeer Forest, a Greenpeace forest rescue station has been set up, just like the Styx Valley global rescue station we set up in 2003. This time, we want to save not just an ancient forest but the indigenous reindeer herders’ way of life.
The Reindeer Forest of Arctic Lapland is among the few remaining ancient forests in Europe. It is used by the indigenous Sami people to free-graze reindeer herds. The Reindeer Forest is under siege by the Finnish government's own logging company, Metsähallitus, which continues to log vital grazing areas.
Seventy-five per cent of this wood is sold for pulp and paper production. What a waste! The Finnish paper giant, StoraEnso buys most of the wood.
"What's insane is that Sámi's reindeer herding livelihood is being pulped to make cheap magazines, copy paper, envelopes and even disposable tissue paper," says Greenpeace forests campaigner, Matti Liimatainen.
To help save these last areas of Reindeer Forest, homeland of the indigenous Sámi peoples, a Greenpeace activist team has joined forces with reindeer herding cooperatives. We have established a Forest Rescue Station (affectionately known to some frostbitten activists as Ice Station Reindeer). From this base, we monitor logging operations and help the Sámi map and demarcate important forest areas. The activists live in insulated modular containers and traditional Sámi tents. They have been here since March 2.
Greenpeace will be active in the forest until the Finnish government stops the destruction.
About the Sámi
The Sámi are one of the world’s oldest races and, because they have always lived in such an extreme climate, their culture is closely linked with the land and nature. Since the 16th century, the Sámi way of life has diversified into three main areas, reindeer herding, traditional farming and fishing.
In northern Lapland, many Sámi indigenous peoples still practice traditional reindeer herding, relying on remaining old-growth forests to provide vital food for their reindeer during the cold winter months. The Sámi reindeer herders have been fighting alone for their livelihood, calling on the government to protect important areas of reindeer forests from industrial logging. The Finnish government has always prioritised forms of land uses other than reindeer herding.
The Reindeer Forest of Arctic Lapland is among the few remaining ancient forests in Europe. It is used by the indigenous Sami people to free-graze reindeer herds. The Reindeer Forest is under siege by the Finnish government's own logging company, Metsähallitus, which continues to log vital grazing areas.
Seventy-five per cent of this wood is sold for pulp and paper production. What a waste! The Finnish paper giant, StoraEnso buys most of the wood.
"What's insane is that Sámi's reindeer herding livelihood is being pulped to make cheap magazines, copy paper, envelopes and even disposable tissue paper," says Greenpeace forests campaigner, Matti Liimatainen.
To help save these last areas of Reindeer Forest, homeland of the indigenous Sámi peoples, a Greenpeace activist team has joined forces with reindeer herding cooperatives. We have established a Forest Rescue Station (affectionately known to some frostbitten activists as Ice Station Reindeer). From this base, we monitor logging operations and help the Sámi map and demarcate important forest areas. The activists live in insulated modular containers and traditional Sámi tents. They have been here since March 2.
Greenpeace will be active in the forest until the Finnish government stops the destruction.
About the Sámi
The Sámi are one of the world’s oldest races and, because they have always lived in such an extreme climate, their culture is closely linked with the land and nature. Since the 16th century, the Sámi way of life has diversified into three main areas, reindeer herding, traditional farming and fishing.
In northern Lapland, many Sámi indigenous peoples still practice traditional reindeer herding, relying on remaining old-growth forests to provide vital food for their reindeer during the cold winter months. The Sámi reindeer herders have been fighting alone for their livelihood, calling on the government to protect important areas of reindeer forests from industrial logging. The Finnish government has always prioritised forms of land uses other than reindeer herding.
