Some 30 countries throughout eastern and western Europe have no
intact ancient forest left. Finland retains only about five
percent of the old-growth boreal forests that once covered most
of the country, but now even that is under threat, and by the
government's own forestry company. Finnish forest slated for
logging which will begin any day. The Finnish state owned
forestry enterprise Metsahallitus is planning to start logging
the old-growth forests of Malahvia, in the north eastern part of
Finland close to the Russian border. Metsahallitus plans to
commence both clearcutting and selective logging in the area
despite clear scientific evidence about the high biological
value of the Malahvia forest. This old growth forest of almost
4000 hectares includes unditched bogs, streams, lakes and ponds.
Rare and declining animal and plant species that depend on old
growth forest conditions are common in this area. The forest is
one of Finland's important homes for once numerous species like
the Siberian Jay and Three-