Establishment of the Käntu-Kastja Nature Reserve

The Estonian government has approved the establishment of the Käntu-Kastja Nature Reserve to protect the floodplain, wetland, and forest landscape situated at the junction of the Lääne, Pärnu, and Rapla administrative regions.
The Käntu-Kastja area has been under protection since 2006 as a protected area and a permanent habitat for eagles; however, the existing protection system failed to provide adequate safeguards for the endangered species living there, their nesting and foraging grounds or rare habitats. The existing protected areas and permanent habitats will be consolidated, and the protected area will be expanded by 340 hectares. The reserve was established primarily to preserve extensive floodplains, wetlands and valuable forest tracts as a unified habitat and ecosystem. This will allow for better protection of species such as the greater spotted eagle — with an estimated population of 5–10 pairs — as well as woodpeckers and the habitats of other birds (including the western capercaillie, black grouse and common kingfisher) and various plant species. The new protection regime permits access to the entire protected area as well as hunting, fishing and the gathering of berries, mushrooms and other forest produce, with the exception of the eagle breeding season.
To maintain the appearance and species richness of semi-natural communities such as floodplains, activities such as mowing, grazing, and the maintenance of tree and shrub fringes are necessary. To improve the condition of peatland communities, the natural water regime is also being restored, aiming to enhance habitat quality.