Forest is one the biggest riches of Estonia both from natural and economical perspective. A large part of Estonia’s endangered species live in forests. For this reason, one of ELF’s priorities is the questions related to sustainable forest management and forest protection

One the key characteristics of sustainable forest management are the annual ratio between forest felling and forest growth. Since the mid 90s of the last century, the annual prescribed cut in Estonia increased constantly. At the moment, the prescribed cut is again decreasing.

According to the state statistics, illegal cut consists of 1-2% of the entire prescribed cut in Estonia. The analysis published by Estonian Green Movement in 2004 showed that taking into consideration tax frauds and renewing obligation of clearcuts stated in the Forest Act, almost 50% of forest cut in private forests could be illegal.

Estonian scientists have calculated that for the preservation of the most endangered part of our nature – the biota in old forests – we have to place under protection AT LEAST 10% of our forest land. Also the parliament has confirmed the need to increase the amount of highly protected forest up to 10%. Presently, 9.3% of forest land is highly protected in Estonia. This figure is among the highest in Europe and in the world in general.