Estonian government approves reduction of Männiku training ground area

The Estonian government at its Thursday meeting approved the alteration of the boundaries of the Männiku Defence Forces training ground, reducing its area by 179.29 hectares. The total area will decrease from 1246.39 to 1067.10 hectares, and the length of the outer boundary will shrink by 3.29 kilometers to 19.71 kilometers. The decision excludes plots of land that can no longer be used for defence purposes. Part of the territory was previously transferred to the Ministry of Climate in connection with the Rail Baltica railway project. Additionally, the area of the former Tammemäe III sand quarry will be removed from the training ground. After mining ceased, this plot was recultivated, creating favorable conditions for protected species such as the natterjack toad and the sand lizard. The Ministry of Defence stated that despite these exclusions, the Männiku training ground continues to meet the training needs of the Defence Forces and the changes will not affect the functionality of the territory.