ASSESSMENT REPORT
Environmental Information
Systems in Lithuania
Arturas Daubaras, Zigmas Bigelis and Laima Tuleikiene
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OF LITHUANIA
JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE, Vilnius
This report has been prepared under a contract with UNEP/GRID-Arendal within the Environmental and Natural Resources Information Network Program (ENRIN) for Central and Eastern Europe, implemented by the UNEP/Environmental Assessment Program. The report presents an overview of the current status of environmental information in Lithuania. The report is based on the results of research which was carried out between January and February 1995.
The completion of this report would have been impossible without the help that the authors received at GRID-Arendal, at the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Lithuania and at other institutions. The invaluable contributions of all colleagues are deeply appreciated. Special regards must be given to Mr. Sindre Langaas (UNEP/GRID-Arendal).
Last updated 10 April, 1996 by Lorant Czaran /
2.1 Brief country profile
Geographically, Lithuania is situated at the centre of Europe (this central point lies 20 km to the north of Vilnius, the capital). Thus, Lithuania is a state of Central Europe belonging to the Baltoscandian region. Lithuania covers 65,200 km2 and has a land border approximately 1,747 km in length. Compared to other Baltic States, Lithuania has the shortest border with the Baltic Sea coast. The coastline is 94 km long. Lithuania is considered a country of plains; however, because of its rich variety of scenery, stimulating contrasts can be found within short distances. On the land surface, areas of hills and lowlands can be observed. The country can be divided into 6 basic regions: 3 lowland plains (Seaside, Central and Eastern) and 3 highlands (Zemaiciai, Baltic and Medininkai). Regional differences are considerable. The mean absolute surface altitude is 100 m above the sea level; the highest point (294 m) is in the east of the country. Geology in Lithuania was considerably influenced by the last European glacial era. Therefore, Lithuania is rich in mineral and sedimentary rocks, such as anhydride, dolomite, limestone, clay, sand, gravel and gypsum; it possesses deposits of chalk, oil, mineral water, etc. Rivers account for the basic hydrographic network. There are 722 rivers more than 10 km long. The longest river is the Nemunas, with a length of 937 km. There are 4000 lakes, including 25 lakes with a surface area of over 1000 ha. The density of the hydrographic network is influenced by the climatic conditions. The climate of Lithuania is transitional between maritime and continental. The mean annual temperature is +60ºC, the average in January being -4.90ºC and in July 170ºC. Westerly and south-westerly winds prevail.
A favorable geographic situation was one of the main factors determining the historical role of Lithuania in Europe. The centralized State of Lithuania, stretching from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea, played an important stabilizing role in the Middle Ages between the East and the West, repelling the attacks of Tatars on the one side and those of the Teutonic Knights on the other. During the last two centuries, Lithuania became a battlefield for the two European States, Germany and Russia. In 1918, Lithuania won its independence; however, Soviet occupation in 1940 interrupted the normal development of this independence. An alien, totalitarian and centralized management system has ruined Lithuania's economy, devastated its environment and imposed on the Lithuanian people the Homo Sovieticus altitude towards all human values.
On 11 March 1990, the independent Lithuanian State was restored, followed by great positive changes in social order, the legal system, the economy, agriculture, science, culture and environmental protection. As a country at a the cross-roads of Western and Eastern Europe, present-day Lithuania will hopefully gain substantial experience in democracy and make its own contribution to the integrity and safety of Europe. The assessment of the current situation of the Lithuanian National Economy is contradictory. On February 1995, in a speech in Parliament, President A. Brazauskas said, that our reforms are successful and that the process of privatization is quite good. But independent experts express the opinion that we are in a crisis situation.
Last updated 10 April, 1996 by Lorant Czaran /
3. MAIN ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS
3.1 Atmosphere protection
In 1989-1991, emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere fluctuated slightly and accounted for 1 million ton per year. In 1992, this amount diminished considerably, due to the decrease in production of the industrial sector as well as the reduced consumption of fuel in the energy and transport sectors. The level of pollution in 1993 remained the same. The pollution index of recent years shows a slight reduction in major Lithuanian towns (except for Vilnius where the situation is stable). Lithuanian towns are mainly polluted with nitrogen dioxide. Concentration of this substance exceeds allowed limits in some towns. The main source of pollution in Lithuania is car transport which produces 60% of the overall amount of pollutants. Environmental pollution from industries and power stations is 25% and 12% respectively. Among the most polluting industries are chemical enterprises, oil refinery and building materials industry.
3.2 Water protection
Water pollution is one of Lithuania's most serious problems. Biochemical oxigen demand, organic and nutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus) substances are the characteristic surface water pollutants. Lithuanian surface waters are slightly polluted with heavy metals, oil products and phenol. Chlororganic pesticides are no longer found. Last year, 345 million cubic meters of waste water that was discharged into surface water bodies had to be cleaned, but 23% was untreated (19% in 1992) while 77% went for treatment (81% in 1992). Only 26% of treated waste water met the normative quality standards. The total amount of pollutants in waste water has recently decreased. However, this is not significant because the total volume of wastewater discharged in 1993 was only 6% less than that of 1992 and 12% less compared to 1991. The 1993 decrease fluctuated between 13% and 30% for the main polluting substances. This can be explained by the fact that waste water from industrial enterprises accounts only for one third of the total amount, thus smaller production volumes do not have a significant impact. The amount of waste water from households did not diminish. Currently many towns and regions do not have waste water treatment plants, often waste water only undergoes mechanical treatment, and the capacity of facilities is insufficient.
3.3 Waste management and
contaminated territories
About 200 thousand tons of hazardous waste is produced in Lithuania annually. So far only a small part of hazardous waste is treated in a ceramics plant. The rest is practically not taken care of and is stored on production sites of enterprises, thereby posing a danger for the environment. The former centralized supply system of pesticides does not exist any longer but significant amounts of pesticides were accumulated from that previous time. Special attention should be given to the storage of these pesticides which often can not be used any more. Recent events show that this is not the case, contributing further to the need to create hazardous waste treatment facilities. Annually, 1.5 million tons of solid waste is dumped into landfills. In most cases, landfills have not been designed properly. From a geological and geographical point of view they have been located in the wrong place. Many of them are too small and in a neglected state (800 in total). Also, there is lack of adequate operational facilities. Therefore, they pose a threat for surface and ground water. The same problem exists also for former military sites. Investigations show that these territories are mainly contaminated with oil products. Heavy metals, specific chemical and radioactive substances have been found as well. The environmental state of many sites has not been investigated yet, and the possible impact upon the environment has not been determined. For these reasons, these sites can not be used in the optimal way.
3.4 Biodiversity
Out of approximately 500 vertebrates, 25,000 invertebrates and more than 1,500 plant and fungi species known in Lithuania today, the state of only a small part has been investigated. Due to overall environment contamination and changes in natural ecosystems, the situation for many plants and animals has become quite critical. About 500 species are threatened.
To preserve biodiversity and to protect other components of landscape, a system of protected territories is being created. It will consist of 4 nature reserves, 5 national as well as 30 regional parks and 295 strict nature reserves covering 11% of Lithuania's territory.
3.5 Environmental Decision-Making and Role
of Environmental Information in Improving Policy and Management Decisions
The state administration of environmental protection in Lithuania is carried out by the:
- Commission of nature protection of the parliament,
- Environmental Protection Division of the
government of Lithuania,
- Environmental Protection Ministry (EPM) of Lithuania,
- Other ministries of the Republic of Lithuania,
- Local authorities (governments and municipalities).
The Environmental Protection Department, established in 1990 under the Supreme Council (today's Seimas), was the main public institution to control the use of natural resources and environmental protection. In August 1994, the Environmental Protection Department has been transformed into the Environmental Protection Ministry. The aim of this restriction is to improve the integration of environmental protection into the general decision making process and to emphasize the prevention of pollution. The Ministry consists of the central body (headquarters), eight Regional Departments and the Fish Resources Department. 44 regional and 11 urban State Environmental Protection Agencies (inspections) are responsible that environmental protection requirements are met. A Joint Research Centre has been established instead of the former Science Board, Informatics Division and Central Environmental Research Laboratory. The Joint Research Centre organizes and carries out Environmental Monitoring and the Information System of Environmental Protection.
Among the basic management instruments are permits for emissions and discharges as well as guidelines on the use of natural resources, and environmental impact assessments (EIA). Both instruments are being improved. Moreover, some economic instruments are being used, such as charges for environmental pollution, taxes on natural resources, profit tax break, soft loans, etc. Under the unstable economy, rational co-ordination of economic and administrative measures was particularly useful, as high inflation diminished the efficiency of economic instruments.
One basic condition for effective environment protection management is a proper legal system clearly determining competencies, duties and responsibilities. Much has been done in this sphere. However, it is still necessary to modify or pass more regulations to complete the legal system. Currently, there are eight laws directly related to environment protection. The General Environmental Protection Law, passed in 1992, is the core of the system. Nine other laws are under way. The most important of these are the Law on EIA and the Law on Waste Management.
Between 1992 and 1994, Lithuania signed or joined ten international conventions in the environment sector. At the moment, ratification documents are under preparation and implementation measures under way.
International co-operation and implementation of joint programs is of great significance in setting Lithuania's environmental protection priorities and strategies. One of the first organizations wherein Lithuania participated is the Baltic Sea Environment Protection Commission-Helsinki Commission (HELCOM). The Baltic Sea Joint Comprehensive Environmental Action Program was approved at the Baltic Sea Environment Commission Conference in November 1992. One of the most important documents stipulating the establishment of a national strategy is the Environmental Action Program for Central and Eastern Europe approved in the Lucerne ministerial conference in 1993.
The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, on June 14, 1992, ratified the "Agenda 21". Lithuania approves ideas of Conference. On the ground of the "Agenda 21", Chapter 40, we create the Strategy of Information System of Environmental Protection.
[Table of Contents][Order copies of this Report][Index of ENRIN documents][Assessment Reports]
Last updated 10 April, 1996 by Lorant Czaran /
4. STATUS IN ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS
4.1 National-level network
The leading institution that prepares main trends of the policy of environmental protection and utilization of natural resources and prepares draft laws on environmental protection is the Environmental Protection Ministry. EPM collects environmental data relying on their own observation networks and is entitled to co-ordinate environmental monitoring activities of these networks, but also of other sector agencies which are responsible for specific sectors or natural resources. EPM carries out state supervision (through Regional Departments) of utilization of natural resources and of environmental protection.
General Strategy Department of EPM
Main functions:
- control the implementation of international
treaties and obligations;
- prepare, establish, finance and supply programs
and proposals of national significance;
- arrange ecological education and instruction.
Current information:
- legal, financial reports from local authorities.
Environmental Quality Department of EPM
Main functions:
- prepare draft projects of norms and standards of environmental quality and promote the introduction
of ecologically safe technology.
Current information:
- inventory of emission data.
Land Management Department of EPM
Main functions:
- Land protection.
Current information:
- Protected areas data, Cadastre of peat-bogs.
Nature Conservation Department of EPM
Compilation of the Lithuanian Red Data Book was started in 1976 and the first edition appeared in 1981, the second one in 1992. The Environmental Protection Ministry has been responsible for its compilation and updating since 1990.
Main functions:
- Inventory and control of game animals and birds.
The Fish Resources Department of EPM
Responsible for monitoring the state of freshwater and marine fish populations and other aquatic biological resources. Collect data of inventorization of catch of fish and
pisciculture.
Joint Research Centre of EPM
Main function:
- organize ecological monitoring, organizse and
co-ordinate scientific research work in the field of
environmental protection.
Current information:
- Water quality monitoring data (110 posts,
50 pollutants, 2 times a month),
- Air quality monitoring (22 posts, 18 pollutants,
3 times a day),
- Soil quality monitoring (25 farms, 20 pollutants,
600 times a year),
- Hydrology and hydrobiology of rivers and lakes,
- Radiological monitoring data,
- Integrated monitoring which includes:
- Hydrobiology of streams; forest damage; vegetation; trunk epiphytes; aerial green algae; soil fauna.
- Chemistry of: Air; precipitation; soil; soil water; groundwater; runoff water; metal chemistry of
mosses; metal chemistry of plants.
- Inventories of: birds/rodents; plants;
forest stand; plant cover.
- GIS-maps of reserves where Integrated Monitoring
is pursued, in ARC/INFO format, scale 1:10,000.
The development of the Integrated Monitoring System started in 1993. Data collection is done in four Integrated Monitoring Stations
(reserves). The institutes of Ecology, Botany, Geography and Physics, the Vilnius University, the Centre of Marine Research and the Joint Research Centre implement research, analysis, computerization and processing of the data.
There are other functions as well. Some
of them are related very closely to data
processing:
- to develop environmental information systems,
- to organize and carry out the development and
maintenance of national cadastres and registers
that are under the Ministry's responsibility,
- to collect and analyze statistical information
of enterprises.
Development of Information System of Statistical Data started in 1991. Data collection is done on the basis of previous annual forms of statistic accountability from enterprises (about 2000), which have to be countersigned and entered into PC by Regional Departments of EPM. Further processing of the data is done in the Information Technology Centre of the Joint Research Centre. Environmental protection Statistic Data is presented to all departments of EPM as well as to the Lithuanian Statistical Office and to other ministries.
Marine Research Centre of EPM
Curonian Bay and Baltic Sea offshore
monitoring data.
Agency of Hydrography of EPM
There are 2850 lakes exceeding 0.5 ha which occupy an area of 876 km2 (1.3% of Lithuania's territory). The large lakes are connected to rivers, whereas the majority of smaller ones have no surface outlets. 400 reservoirs (ponds) of more than 5 ha have been built in Lithuania. There are more than 10,000 smaller ponds.
Main functions:
- Inspection of ponds and engineering equipment
of ponds.
Current information:
- Cadastre of lakes and ponds.
Centre of Meteorology and Hydrology,
Board of Hydrometeorology (EPM):
Current information:
- Meteorological data from 21 meteorological stations (observations 8 times a day), 73 climate stations (observations 2 times a day).
- Hydrometeorological data from 87 stations.
Centre of Hygiene of Ministry
of Health Care:
(There are 49 regional and special Centres)
Main functions:
- Data about the quality of drinking water;
- Toxic and microbiological contamination of food
and food materials;
- Assessment of population radiation doses;
- Epidemics;
- Sanitary status of territories.
Ministry of Agriculture:
Main ecological functions:
- control of land use; norms and standards of land use.
Land Management and Geodesy Survey,
Ministry of Agriculture
Mapping Authority, Remote Sensing.
Land cadastre office of Ministry of Agriculture
Land Cadastre data (together with local
authorities).
Agrochemical Research Centre
Soil monitoring data.
Ministry of Energy
Program-Nuclear energy and environment.
Ministry of Forestry
Main environmental protection functions:
- forest protection and control, forest inventory;
organize monitoring of forests.
Current information:
- Cadastre of Forests, forests monitoring data.
Ministry of Construction and Urban Development
Main environmental protection functions:
- control urban development, create norms
and standards, taking into account
environmental protection.
Geological Survey of Ministry of
Construction and Urban Development
Monitoring of groundwater; Geological survey.
Institutes of Academy of Sciences
Institute of Botany:
- flora monitoring, heavy metals and radioactive
isotopes in plants monitoring.
Institute of Ecology:
- fauna monitoring, soil monitoring, hydrobiology
of rivers and lakes.
Institute of Geography:
- hydrochemistry of soil, cadastre of rivers.
Institute of Physics:
- precipitation, radiological monitoring.
Vilnius University:
- genetic monitoring of fauna.
Ministry of Defense, Department of Civil Security
Radiological monitoring data.
Vilnius Hydrogeology Enterprise "ARTVA"
Monitoring of groundwater. Local authorities (44 regional and 10 urban area boards of Environmental Protection) which are implementing the policy of environmental protection on their territories, shall:
- implement of laws and decisions of the government on environmental protection.
- prepare, approve and implement the programs, plans and projects for environmental protection and
utilization of natural resources.
- form and have at their disposal local government environmental protection funds.
4.2 Education, Science,
Non-governmental organizations
The aim of ecological education is to encourage respect for sustainable lifestyles, based on awareness of their relationships with the environment. To achieve these aims the following guidelines will be adhered to:
- introduction of environmental education programs in all grades and at all levels of education;
- encouragement of national traditions, which respect nature, in cultural and educational policies;
- expand support for public and non-governmental environmental organizations and encourage their
formation in areas where environment
awareness is low.
As part of its statutory remit, the Environmental Protection Ministry is actively involved in promoting education reforms aimed at enhancing public awareness of environmental issues. Together with the Ministry of Culture and Education, the EPM has set forth the priorities in the formation of an ecological education system program. Though the current programs for environmental education are limited, they do provide planners with the basis for an expanded ecological awareness program. Lessons on the environment are currently part of teaching plans for grades 1-4, with more detailed ecology courses following in grade 12. It is of vital importance that students are provided with opportunities to widen their theoretical and practical knowledge with other innovative and interesting forms of education. There are many different centres, stations and clubs of young lovers of Nature, which are under the Ministry of Culture and Education. A substantial step has been made in this direction with the establishment of the National School for Young Researchers and the School of Young Geographers in Vilnius Pedagogical University for upper grade class pupils.
On university and technical school level, general ecological principles and lectures are offered. Students of Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipeda Universities, Kaunas Technological and Vilnius Technical Universities studying sciences are encouraged to undertake research on the state of the environment. Research work in the field of environmental protection, land use and landscape management in Lithuania is carried out by specialized research institutes and laboratories, among them the Geography, Geology, Botany, Ecology, Hygiene, Architecture and Construction, History and Historical Monuments Preservation Institutes, specialized departments of the Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipeda Universities, Kaunas Technological and Vilnius Technical Universities, Kaunas Agriculture Academy. These studies are carried out under the co-ordination of the Environmental Protection Ministry. It is foreseen that from 1993 much attention is devoted to a special project on the ecological monitoring system, especially to analysis and prognosis. The societies of Geographers, Ornithologists, Botanists and others take part in dissemination of environmental information.
Since 1990, when Lithuania had proclaimed itself independent and separated from the Soviet Union, different non-governmental and private ecological organizations have been founded. Contact addresses of organizations are given in Appendix 1.
4.3 International networking:
Links and support, on-going and
planned projects of relevance
Starting the establishment of the independent Republic of Lithuania both governmental bodies and universities, research institutes and other NGO's began to search for international co-operation.
The Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the Environmental Protection Ministry is identified as national local point of UNEP's information network INFOTERRA. After joining Internet, information from INFOTERRA is received every day and is distributed to environmental specialists in the Ministry and JRC. It is planned to develop the Bulletin Board System (BBS) in 1995. Subsequently, the information will be stored in BBS. In principle, all organizations-both governmental and NGO's-might have access to this information. But there are limitations due to the numbers of communication channels installed.
Under funding of Norway, a number of research organizations and universities have been linked to Internet. In a first step, only the e-mail facility has been used. In 1994, other facilities (ftp, gophers, WWW) have been established and with that the possibility to access international environmental databases. However, limited number and bad quality of communication lines makes extensive use of Internet facilities difficult. This situation accounts especially for users communicating with the main computers situated in the Mathematics and Informatics Institute and Vilnius University. One main problem lies in the limited number of communication lines between Lithuania and Norwegian host computers.
A large amount of information is collected and exchanged under agreements and projects with HELCOM. The access to databases of HELCOM countries, also through the use of e-mail, is under consideration. In 1994, the project of integrated monitoring has started and the development of databases and exchange of information is planned for 1995.
Lithuanian institutions are collecting information for CORINE: data of two projects-biotopes and air-are entered into local databases. After quality control of the information, it is transferred to the European database. The activity has been increased after acquisition of hardware and software under CORINE funding. The collecting and processing of land cover information is under discussion.
In 1995, the ESATT (European Science and Technology Transfer) and TeleServ projects began to be implemented. 91 licenses for linking to the CompuServe network have been received. Some users have been provided with personal computers, modems and software, others with modems and software. All universities, some research institutes and governmental bodies will have access free of charge until July 1995. The Joint Research Centre has received one license and started to learn the usage of CompuServe in February 1995.
In 1994, the third part of the Joint Project Lielupe River Basin Water Quality Monitoring and Management has started. The participants are: Environmental Protection Ministries of Latvia and Lithuania, four Regional Departments (Agencies); the Environmental Data Centre and ECAT from Latvia; the Joint Research Centre of EPM of Lithuania and the Environmental Research Institute of Sweden. One of the objectives is the development of water data bases using GIS. The information is to be used to analyze and assess the situation of the Lielupe River Basin Water Quality Management. The information exchange capacities between countries and participants are to be installed and the modern information technology is to be implemented.
In 1994, another international project CIESIN (Consortium for Information of the Earth Science) started in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. This project is under US funding, and the CIESIN committee manages all activities. The goal is the development of metadata containing information about existing databases and the access to national databases. In Europe, three different projects are going on, and there is a need for coordination of activities of all projects. It would be useful to discuss this issue with the European Environ-mental Agency and UN Environmental institutions.
For better understanding of information, Geographic Information Systems are used. In 1992, UNEP/GRID-Arendal and the Norwegian Foreign Affairs Ministry have funded international introductory GIS training courses for Lithuanian and Latvian representatives from different bodies which are related to environmental protection (Environmental Protection Ministry, universities, Geology Department). The Lielupe River Basin Project is impossible without using GIS.
The first problem related to the effective development of GIS applications is the development of digital maps. In 1993, the work on the first Lithuanian digital map (1:200,000) began and in 1994, first applications using this information began.
In 1994, the development of a digital map 1:50,000 under BITS funding started and two draft sections have been prepared in February 1995. Satellitbild AB, Sweden, is providing satellite images and the Lithuanian GIS Centre is digitizing interpreted images.
A number of universities are connected and exchange information through the BUGIS
(Baltic universities GIS) network.
Two PHARE projects, MARS (Monitoring Agriculture Remote Sensing) and MERA (Monitoring Environment) are planned to start at the end of 1995. The goal is the collection of environmental and agricultural information and its integration with remote sensing information, to analyze the situation and to generate
forecasts. The Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service began the introductory activities-taking part in a training course. US AID and EPA 5 Region is co-operating with Baltic countries in different issues related to environment protection. In 1995, the installation of a Local Area Network (LAN) within the Ministry is planned. After installation of this local network, the document management and the exchange of information between employees of the Ministry, the Joint Research Centre, the Fish Resources Department and the Vilnius regional Department will be facilitated.
4.4 Analysis of Legal Framework:
Existing legislation regarding public
access to environmental information
Public access to information is identified in a number of different legal documents. The Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania is at the beginning of compiling the list of legal documents. A number of drafts laws regarding the rights of persons and organizations to access information in computers have been developed as a result of development of the State Information Infrastructure Program. Other laws have been developed by work groups established in different governmental bodies, for example the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Statistics Department, the Ministry of Communications and Informatics and so on. Representatives from universities and other organizations have been included into these work groups.
Starting in 1991, the Environmental Protection Department and later on the Environmental Protection Ministry have been responsible for collecting, processing, reporting and distribution of environmental statistic information.
The list of the main legal documents consists of :
- The Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania,
- Law on public information,
- Law of press and other mass media information,
- Law on the Environment Protection (is to be refined after establishment of the Ministry),
- Law of communications (draft),
- Law of statistics,
- Law of legal protection of software
and databases (draft),
- Law of informatics (draft),
- Law of legal protection of personal
information (draft),
- Law of state (national) registers (draft),
- Law of national register of legal units (draft),
- Joining of the Bern convention of author rights
(copyright) in 1994.
Under the law of public information, state employees have no right to refuse provision of information to the representatives of press and mass media. Under the law on environmental protection, the Ministry has to inform the public about environmental status and has to organize environmental education.
Other laws include more detailed or more
specific requirements about collecting,
processing, storing, reporting and distribution of information.
There are on-going discussions about ownership of information, conditions of access, responsibilities, duties and rights of institutions related to information as well as discussions about type and amount of information which can be distributed free of charge. Therefore an international experience would be interesting and useful before final refinement and approval of draft laws.
The legal library with Internet access has been established in February 1995 in the building of the National Science library. Therefore it would be useful to discuss the technique and technology of searching the relevant information in the world-wide network. Training courses containing concrete recommendations or acquisition of manuals and catalogues should be discussed.
4.5 Economic considerations regarding
the implementation of environmental
information systems and the dissemination of environmental information
The following table lists programs about the efficient use of national resources (only those which are financed through the state budget) :
4.6 Information use in decision-making,
education and the media
Previously, we described the topics of institutional aspects and legislation of environmental protection. In this part, we analyze the kind of information, which is used in Lithuania's § Environmental Protection.
Information on all levels and media:
- Legal information,
- Ratified international conventions, agreements,
- Norms and standards,
- Literature on ecological education,
- Statistical Reports,
- Cadastres of natural resources,
- Reports of inspection (control),
- Annuals of environmental monitoring.
[Table of Contents][Order copies of this Report][Index of ENRIN documents][Assessment Reports]
Last updated 10 April, 1996 by Lorant Czaran /
The General Strategy Department and the Public Relations and Education Division of EPM coordinate dissemination of environmental information. Then, the division transfers the information to the government by sending fax-messages, using the following schedule: on Wednesdays about current environmental emergencies, events and conferences; and on Fridays about the planning of events and conferences.
The media receives information from government bulletins and express information by phone from EPM.
Main environmental newspapers:
"Zaliasis laikrastis" (Green newspaper)
weekly periodical, 12,000 copies, independent, publisher: "ZALIOJI LIETUVA"
(Green Lithuania).
"Teviskes gamta" (Native Land Nature)
weekly periodical, 4,000 copies, was previously independent, financed by EPM since 1995, publisher: "Lithuanian Society for Nature".
"Zaliasis pasaulis" (Green World)
2-weekly periodical, 2,000 copies, independent, publisher "Ekologinio svietimo centras" (Centre of Ecological Education).
Main environmental magazines:
"Musu gamta" (Our Nature)
monthly. Editorial board address: Rudens 33b, 2600 Vilnius; Phone: 370 2 69 69 64.
"Musu girios" (Our forests)
Editorial board address: A.Vienuolio 14,
2600 Vilnius; Phone: 370 2 61 80 94.
"Musu sodai" (Our Gardens)
Editorial board address: Kalvariju 62, 2005 Vilnius; Phone: 370 2 75 23 51.
Central Issues for the Establishment of Environmental Information Networks
Central issues for the establishment of
environmental information networks are:
- Legislation improvement,
- Management development (institutions, decision makers, specialists, public),
- Information improvement (collection, processing,
content, quality, availability),
- Communications (hardware, software,
telephone, networks),
- Resources (finance).
We must evaluate all five parts, if we want to establish environmental information networks which can help us to develop sustainable. The information super-highway is our vision of the future. In the following chapters, we describe our plans for the next two to three years.
6.1 Priority Needs for Information
of decision-makers
The Ministry of Environmental Protection coordinates the generation, analysis and dissemination of environmental information. From the legal point of view, the headquarters of the ministry are the main decision makers in the field of environmental protection. Together with improvement of legislation of information, they are creating the Computerized Information System of Environmental Protection, which is part of the Lithuania Information System. On the ground of "Agenda 21", Chapter 40-bridging the data gap and improving information availability-we create a strategy for the Information System of Environmental Protection.
We cannot establish priority needs of our Information System, because we are presently creating the strategy of Environmental Protection. The National Environmental Strategy Task Force with the International Development Ireland Ltd., DEVCO and the Environmental Resources Management are going to finalize their work in June-July, 1995.
6.2 Agreements between national sectorial
agencies to exchange data and information and to cooperate on priority issues
The Lithuanian government and the Ministry of Communications and Informatics coordinates data exchange between sectorial agencies in all fields of human activity.
It is important to have a reliable communication system, if we want to exchange data.
Any ministry or governmental body has to exchange information with other governmental institutions. There are annual and quarterly reports and every ministry can transfer the information of their sector free of charge. This is an important requirement of the by-law of the ministry.
In the next sections, there is a list of typical reports of the Environmental Protection Ministry.
In 1994, the PHARE project BIIP (Baltic Information Infrastructure Pilot Project) started. The goal of this project is to develop information network infrastructure in the capitals of the Baltic states. All main governmental bodies in the capitals will be able to exchange information through computer networks. The Environmental Protection Ministry plans to link to this network in the second stage in 1995 or 1996.
Another project, VADIS (Governmental Administrative Information System), is being discussed on the basis of the BIIP project.
The main principles, recommendations and requirements have been developed in the National Information Infrastructure Strategic Plan (program Lithuania-2000) Other more detailed and more specific requirements are identified in the draft law of the state register. The system of national cadastres and registers has begun to be developed in Lithuania (see Appendix 2, Part 4). [Table of Contents][Order copies of this Report][Index of ENRIN documents][Assessment Reports]
Last updated 10 April, 1996 by Lorant Czaran /