25.03.2008 - The Minister of the Environment supports the takeover of Elistvere Animal Park by RMK 10.10
“The management of Elistvere Animal Park would be suitable for RMK as it would be compatible with the current activities of RMK mainly in the field of nature education," said Jaanus Tamkivi, Minister of the Environment. According to the Minister, the transfer of the management of the animal park would provide the state with security that the management of the park will be strong and stable.
Until now, funding for the Elistvere Animal Park has been regulated by the non-profit association MTÜ Eesti Metsaselts. This task, however, is not part of the activities specified in the articles of association of the Estonian Society of Foresters. Considering that Elistvere Animal Park has become more popular over the years and in the 10 years of business, the park has expanded and grown, the activities related to the management of the park have also become more capacious. “I support RMK’s wish to take over the management of Elistvere Animal Park, as RMK has more efficient possibilities for organising management than the Estonian Society of Foresters," said Tamkivi. At the same time, the Minister highly appreciates the contribution made by the non-profit association MTÜ Eesti Metsaselts in the management of Elistvere Animal Park over the last 10 years.
At the end of last week, the State Management Centre made a proposal to MTÜ Eesti Metsaselts to transfer the management of Elistvere Animal Park to RMK. For the further purposeful development of the park, RMK wishes to plan purposeful activities, compile a development plan and a respective action plan. This way, funding would also become more stable.
This year, state aid in the amount of EEK 300 000 has been stipulated for performing the everyday activities of the park. The state is willing to give the EEK 700 000 that was meant for investments last year, but was not used, to the disposal of Elistvere Animal Park after the completion of the development plan. In order to receive investment aid from the state, the activities of the park must be determined in the development plan and the use of funds must be transparent.
The management of the Estonian Society of Foresters will discuss the offer of the State Forest Management Centre and make their decision on 4 April.
Additional information:
Brita Merisalu
Press Representative of the Ministry of the Environment
+372 626 2908, +372 527 6851
brita.merisalu@envir.ee
