A web application was created to submit requests for the rental of semi-natural biotic communities on state lands  05.09

The new web application makes it possible for anyone interested to obtain information on unoccupied and already rented semi-natural communities, as well as to communicate one’s request for the rental of one or more pieces of land containing a semi-natural biotic community.

The purpose of the web application, developed in cooperation between RMK and the Land Board, is to facilitate the granting of use of lands, thereby increasing the share of maintained semi-natural biotic communities on state lands managed by RMK. “To date, RMK has concluded semi-natural biotic community maintenance contracts with 300 legal or private persons, who are using over 21,000 hectares of state land,” explained Kristjan Tõnisson, head of RMK’s nature conservation department. “According to the Nature Conservation Development Plan, we must reach 45,000 hectares with regular maintenance by 2020, and the new application is a way of moving closer to that goal”, added Tõnisson.

Anyone that is interested can log in to the web application for the rental of semi-natural communities with their ID card at the address www.maaamet.ee/rmk, where usage instructions for the application can also be found. When a rental request is sent, it is forwarded to RMK’s Nature Protection Department through the application, where the information is verified along with the possibility of renting out the semi-natural biotic community, the information is then sent to the person who submitted the rental request.

It is also possible to view areas available for rental in the geoportal of the Estonian Land Board, through the card application “Use of state land”.

Semi-natural biotic communities, which are also often referred to as plant heritages, are woodlands, alvars, heaths, and wooded pastures, as well as coastal, flooded, dry and wet meadows. These are areas that have been used as pastures and meadows for a long period of time and a moderate degree of human activity is required to maintain biodiversity.

RMK is the keeper, protector and manager of the forest and other natural biotic communities belonging to the Estonian state. RMK earns a profit for the state through forest management, growing reforestation material, and organising forest and nature protection works. In addition, RMK provides opportunities for nature walking in recreational and protected areas and shapes nature awareness. Last year, RMK’s nature reserves and recreational areas were visited 2.2 million times, with visitor numbers growing from year to year. RMK consists of the Sagadi Forest Centre, the Elistvere Animal Park, AS Eesti Metsataim and the Põlula Fish Farm.

Further information:

Kristjan Tõnisson
RMK Nature Protection Division
Tel: 5691 8728
E-mail: kristjan.tonisson@rmk.ee
www.rmk.ee/metsa-majandamine/looduskaitsetood

More information about the technical solution:
Sulev Õitspuu
Head of the geographical information systems office of the Land Board
Tel: 675 0867
E-mail: sulev.oitspuu@maaamet.ee