This spring, the Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation purchased a 65-hectare area of natural forest in Ketomella, Enontekiö in order to turn it into a conservation area. The forest, which is located in Keinolahdenvaara, north of the continuous tree-limit of the spruce, is characterised by pine trees that are over 300 years old. The area also contains lake Harrijärvi, which covers just over three hectares, and its bogland shore.

The forest in Keinolahdenvaara has been owned by the Eira family, who are reindeer-breeding Sámi, since the general reparcelling in the early 19th century. Previously, the area was an ancient thoroughfare along the northern edge of lake Ketojärvi.

According to the old Lapland custom, the area will be called EemelinUntonmaa (Eemeli’s Unto’s Land) according to its former rulers.

EemelinUntonmaa is the fifth forest purchased through the Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation’s Upper Lapland campaign, which was launched one year ago. Time is running out for the protection of the last remaining natural forests in the north, as recent years has seen industrial forestry expand into private forests in Enontekiö, whereas previously these forests were only cut for home use.