The deteriorating condition of natural habitats of European Community importance and habitats of protected species has led to the initiation of funding for projects helping to preserve natural natural habitats.
Small things save lives
Are farmers interested in such support, for which they have to farm a little differently in their areas? “We receive those who are interested, but we would like to see such individuals increase in the future. We are looking for ways to make the implementation of the measure more attractive and accessible.
For this purpose, we have expanded the possible circle of applicants so that the beneficiaries of support can be natural and legal persons who seek to engage in agricultural activities, not only active farmers, as was previously established. We have also added to the list of expenses eligible for financing”, says Rūta Smilgaitytė, chief specialist of the Department of European Union Affairs and Support Policy of the Ministry of Agriculture (ŽŪM).
A similar measure has already been implemented in Lithuania with the funds of the Lithuanian Rural Development Program 2014-2020, it started with the preservation of one of the rarest migratory birds of wet meadows, classified as an endangered species – the reed warbler.
For example, the mentioned bird was almost extinct in all of Europe. It was also on the verge of extinction in Lithuania. It turns out that reed warblers cannot build their nests in reeds or reeds. These birds need natural marshy meadows dominated by sedges. The farmers of the Nemunas delta and Žuvinta surroundings willingly contributed to the expansion of the territories of this bird – mowing, which prevents the meadows from becoming overgrown with reeds.
“Subsequently, the list of supported protected species habitats and natural habitats was expanded. From previous periods, we already have successfully implemented projects in Lithuania that contribute to the preservation of biological diversity and the restoration of the most endangered species and habitats”, explained R. Smilgaitytė and clarified that the measure is implemented in order to create favorable conditions for the restoration of the currently neglected habitats of protected species and the European Community important natural habitat areas in natural and semi-natural meadows and extensively used wetlands.
Support for neatness?
The paradox of this means of support is that in certain natural habitats human help is needed to maintain order. Figuratively speaking, money is allocated for management.
In general, the measure will complement the benefits provided by supporting conditions and ecological systems in protecting biodiversity and the landscape – it will contribute to the restoration of a favorable habitat condition and create conditions for the survival of protected species and natural habitats, it will contribute to the implementation of strategic biodiversity protection goals, as it will be targeted to the most endangered species and habitats recovery.
More specifically, persons engaged in or seeking to engage in agricultural activities will be encouraged to manage abandoned natural and semi-natural meadows and wetlands – areas where extensive agricultural activities used to take place, but are currently discontinued. This will restore their favorable condition for the survival of protected species and natural habitats.
Support applications can be submitted when the applicant’s holding or part of it falls within the layer of areas of natural habitats of European Community importance and habitats of protected species determined by the State Office of Protected Areas under the Ministry of the Environment.
It should be borne in mind that the measure supports only those managed areas that fall into the habitats of the reed warbler, the ball turtle, the blue-eyed bluebird, the somber golden beetle, the northern goldfinch, the golden checker, the glabrous linden, the stilt, the common heather, the red-footed tulic, and the European Community the territories of natural habitats of importance – woodland meadows, juniper forests, tree-covered pastures, unopened continental sand meadows, carbonate sand meadows, steppe meadows, species-rich meadows, meadows. You can check whether the area you want to clean falls within the mentioned territory on the website of the Agricultural Data Center of VĮ.
Support can cover 100 percent. expenses
According to the measure, support will be given to farmers and people who want to start farming for the improvement of habitats. Funded costs: removal and maintenance of woody vegetation, removal and maintenance of herbaceous vegetation, milling of stumps, installation of pasture fences in areas where there were no pastures until now, purchase of an electric shepherd and its components, new shallow peat turtle habitats in meadows and pastures up to 0.1 ha installation and similar costs related to the above.
All planned habitat restoration and management works will have to be provided in the description of the need for nature management works, which can be prepared by the applicant himself. The works will have to be coordinated with the Directorate of Protected Areas, in the territory of which the area to be managed is planned.
“It should be reminded that the support measure is an incentive to manage abandoned territories of natural habitats and habitats of protected species of European Community importance and thus later use them for their own economic activities, while protecting and enabling the survival of endangered species and habitats, whose areas may disappear if not properly managed”, – stated R. Smilgaitytė, chief specialist of ŽŪM.
It is announced that the maximum amount of support for one project is 70 thousand. euros. The maximum support intensity is 100 percent. eligible expenses, and the lowest – 20 percent. expenses eligible for financing, except in cases where the applicant requests or agrees to the application of a lower intensity of support.
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2024-09-01 03:42:11
