Industrial Land Usage

Reindeer is a ruminant that needs different kinds of plant species for food at different times of the year. Reindeer herding is based on natural pasture areas and free grazing, reindeer finds its food from the nature and it uses around 350 different plant species. A significant part of these plants grow in the forests – particularly lichens.  Mires, meadows and rich sides of brooks are summer pasture areas of reindeer. In the autumn, reindeer gather to dry lands and forests to eat mushrooms.

Reindeer herding is dependent on nature and it is based on using renewable natural resources in a sustainable way. Reindeer herding is affected by all land usage related to using natural resources in the reindeer husbandry area. The main influencers are forestry, mining industry, wind farms and hydropower production, peat production, travel industry and different kinds of protected areas.

Reindeer herding needs broad and diverse pasture areas to function in an ecologically, socially, culturally and financially sustainable way. Other land usage effects on reindeer herding are through declining food resources or diminishing and shattering pasture areas.  Also, there can be distractions and changes in the grazing cycle. Therefore herding activities can become more difficult and different kinds of accidents may increase.  Land usage has effects on the financial side of the herding, but also to the culture.

The best kind of pasture for reindeer is broad and diverse. Reindeer can then find different kinds of plant species and areas to dig for food despite the weather. A good pasture area provides enough nutrition for reindeer and it is a peaceful area without too much human activities.  The best pasture areas are located in protected areas where other land usage is limited.

Reindeer herding is actively involved in various legally regulated proceedings such as in different stages of zoning, in EIA of projects, maintenance plans of reserve areas, exploration and mining processes, traffic planning (roads and railways).

Reindeer Herders’ Association acts as an expert in issues related to reindeer herding. It also helps cooperatives with issues related to land usage. The Association gives statements and participates in negotiations, steering and development groups and collects information about the effects of different kind of land usage to reindeer herding.