Protection procedure

The protection of habitats and species in the Mukri Nature Reserve is organised as limited and special management zones.

As per the protection procedure, the nature reserve is divided into four special management zones:

  • the special management zone of Mukri; ban on movement from 1 March to 31 May, ban on hunting from 1 March to 31 July
  • the special management zone of Koogiste; ban on movement and hunting from 15 March to 31 August 
  • the special management zone of Väike-Mukri; ban on movement from 15 March to 31 August
  • the special management zone of Ellamaa; no bans on movement

The conservation objective of the special management zones of Ellamaa and Mukri is to preserve biodiversity and characteristic landscape features, restore the natural state of biotic communities and protect the habitat types of the Habitats Directive and protected species and their habitats. The conservation objective of the special management zones of Koogiste and Väike-Mukri is to ensure the natural development of forest communities and to conserve protected species and their habitats. 

The Mukri Nature Reserve has three limited management zones:

  • the limited management zone of Mukri; ban on hunting and logging from 1 March to 31 July
  • the limited management zone of Saarepõllu; ban on movement and logging from 15 March to 31 August
  • the limited management zone of Reonda; no bans on movement

The conservation objective of the limited management zones is to preserve characteristic landscape features and forest biodiversity and conserve protected species. The limited management zones of Mukri and Saarepõllu also protect species sensitive to disturbance.

People are permitted to stay in the protected area, fish, pick berries, mushrooms and other forest by-products, except in places prohibited during a ban on movement. It is prohibited to drive floating craft in the protected area.

Any activity in the special management zones must be approved by the Estonian Environmental Board, so as not to compromise the achievement of the conservation objectives. Approval is also required to camp and make a fire at public events with more than 20 participants in an area not intended for this purpose.