Kaunas Free Economic Zone expansion faces opposition over forest land

Lithuanian Member of Parliament Orinta Leiputė has formally appealed to Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius to oppose the proposed expansion of the Kaunas Free Economic Zone (FEZ) into surrounding forest lands. The request follows appeals from local community leaders, elders, and residents in the Kaunas district.

The legislative proposal aims to incorporate an additional 336.9 hectares into the FEZ, approximately 243 hectares of which are currently forested. Leiputė noted that these forests are adjacent to residential areas such as Karmėlava, Ramučiai, Neveronys, and Palemonas. She emphasized that residents already face significant burdens from existing industrial, transport, and waste management infrastructure, including mechanical-biological treatment plants and proximity to the Kaunas airport and Rail Baltica developments.

The Ministry of Environment has officially expressed opposition to the expansion into these forests, citing their environmental and social importance, and has suggested utilizing non-forested territories instead. Additionally, the National Land Service has raised concerns, questioning why forested plots are being selected for expansion when alternative lands may be available.