Overview of Preventive Activities in Žemaitija National Park: Violations

The specialists of the Žemaitija National Park Directorate (ŽNPD) actively conduct preventive activities aimed at safeguarding protected landscape elements and biodiversity. One of the primary measures is preventive inspections in the park’s territory, buffer zones, and assigned areas. During these inspections, specialists check for prohibited activities that could destroy protected values and violate legal requirements.

Residents who own land plots or other property in protected areas are encouraged to understand and be aware of permitted activities on their properties. However, situations often arise where residents remain unaware of legal requirements. In such cases, specialists are prepared to provide the necessary information and assistance. Unfortunately, there are also malicious cases where legal requirements are ignored or deliberately violated. Compliance with the law applies not only to residents but also to all visitors to the national park. The most common violations include unauthorized campfires, camping, parking in undesignated areas, off-road driving with ATVs that damages forest litter, and littering.

Significant Violations in 2024

In 2024, ŽNPD specialists identified several more severe potential violations:

1. Paburgis Landscape Reserve: While cleaning a water body, its area was expanded without authorization, and it was connected to a stream.
2. Plinkšiai Landscape Reserve: Wild animals (deer) were kept in an enclosure without permission, and temporary structures were erected on forest land.
3. Gandinga Landscape Reserve: Forest cutting occurred during prohibited periods, and timber was dragged through the Babrungas River.
4. Paplatelė Recreational Zone: A forest tract and underbrush were illegally cleared, the lake shoreline was altered, and vegetation in the lake was destroyed.
5. Laumalenkos Landscape Reserve: Unauthorized structures, such as outdoor toilets, were built in a forest area.
6. Jazdauskiškiai Landscape Reserve: Simple structures (a sauna and a gazebo) were built, and artificial water bodies were dug without permission.
7. Ablinga Geomorphological Reserve: Violations of environmental manure and slurry management regulations were identified.
8. Other Territories: Three cases of potentially illegal construction were identified in areas administered by the Directorate. The information was forwarded to the State Territorial Planning and Construction Inspectorate under the Ministry of Environment.
9. Skurvydai Forest: An area was found contaminated with construction waste.

In addition to these cases, numerous violations related to visitor activities were identified, such as unauthorized campfires, camping, and parking in restricted areas. In these instances, violators were issued warnings and provided with information on where such activities are permitted.

Reporting and Consequences

Information on identified violations is forwarded to the responsible authorities, most commonly to the officers of the Environmental Protection Department. Administrative proceedings have been initiated, and some violators have already received administrative penalties, with the environmental damage assessed.

Prevention is Everyone’s Responsibility

To prevent legal violations, the work of the Directorate’s specialists is essential, but public awareness is equally important. Residents and visitors should familiarize themselves with permitted activities in protected areas and report any violations to the appropriate authorities immediately. By working together, we can ensure that the values of Žemaitija National Park and other protected areas are preserved for future generations.

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