Inquiry regarding the closure of the Endla Nature Centre (No. 815)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
Date: 2025-10-13 22:27
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 23m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debated the interpellation submitted by Aivar Kokk and Priit Sibul concerning the closure of the Endla Nature Centre. The questioners sharply criticized the Environmental Board’s decision to close the centre located in Tooma (with an alleged annual cost of 82,000 euros) without prior consultation with the local community and municipality. Aivar Kokk highlighted the contrast between the closure of Endla and the construction of the new Environmental House in Tallinn, costing 67 million euros, questioning whether the savings were justified. Minister of Energy and Environment Andres Sutt explained that closing the Endla office was part of the Environmental Board’s broader savings plan (over 3.3 million euros over five years) and that the building was inefficient for two employees, as the exhibition only accounted for 9% of the floor area. The Minister confirmed that the Endla and the new Environmental House projects are not mutually related alternatives. Sutt stressed that the closure of the nature centre does not impede access to the nature trails, the maintenance of which remains the responsibility of RMK, and the educational materials were transferred to local educational institutions and organizations. He added that State Real Estate Ltd (RKAS) is evaluating the possibility of selling or leasing the building, addressing the interest shown by the NGO Endla Nature Society. Aivar Kokk stood by his position that failing to notify the local government (Jõgeva Rural Municipality Government) before the closure was a serious error, and asked the minister to ensure better cooperation with local partners in the future.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made
Most Active Speaker
Aivar Kokk was the most active questioner, submitting both the main and supplementary questions, and participating in negotiations, defending the interests of the region (etc.).
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller introduced the eighth item on the agenda—the interpellation submitted by Riigikogu members Aivar Kokk and Priit Sibul to Andres Sutt, the Minister of Energy and Environment, concerning the closure of the Endla Nature Centre—and invited Riigikogu member Aivar Kokk to serve as the rapporteur.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk expresses indignation over the closure and subsequent sale of the nature center, a move undertaken without involving local municipalities or the community. He contrasts this paltry saving of 80,000 euros with the construction of a new 67-million-euro environmental building in Tallinn, and demands an explanation from the minister as to why regional needs and local interests were completely ignored in the decision-making process. He also added a question concerning the owner's revenue derived from state forest protected areas.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller asks the Minister of Energy and Environment, Andres Sutt, to respond to the interpellation.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Minister of Energy and Environment Andres Sutt addressed the role of the State Forest Management Centre (RMK) in nature conservation on state lands. He also clarified the reasons behind the closure of the Endla Nature Centre, emphasizing that it was a conscious decision driven by budget cuts aimed at saving maintenance costs for a rarely used building, ensuring that this closure does not restrict public access to nature. Furthermore, he confirmed that the Environmental Board has not paid performance bonuses, but has incurred moderate expenses (totaling nearly 98,000 euros) for employee motivation. This spending was necessary to maintain team morale and reduce staff turnover while the agency fulfills its mandated savings obligations.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller announced that the audience had at least one question, and subsequently gave the floor to Aivar Koka to pose it.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk thanks the minister for the answers but draws attention to the fact that despite the rental request from the NGO operating in support of the Endla nature reserve, the State Real Estate Ltd (Riigi Kinnisvara Aktsiaselts) has decided to put the building up for sale. He simultaneously demands clarification as to whether the alleged cost of 82,000 euros was a utility expense and what the actual costs were for the two employees who worked in the state building.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Minister of Energy and Environment Andres Sutt promised to send the exact financial data in writing and emphasized that Riigi Kinnisvara AS (State Real Estate Ltd.) must evaluate the local NGO’s rental request and make a decision between selling or renting the property to prevent the building from standing empty, which is the worst-case scenario.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller thanked the rapporteur, then opened the debate, and asked Aivar Kokk, the representative of the questioners, to take the floor first, noting at the same time that there was still one more question to be put to the rapporteur.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk sharply criticizes the lack of cooperation between the state and local government regarding the closure and misuse of the expensive nature center (which cost nearly 70 million) located in the Jõgeva region, stressing that local authorities only learned about the situation through the newspaper. He demands that the minister ensure such decisions are not made behind closed doors, but that local governments are involved as partners of the state. Furthermore, he insists that a solution be quickly found that guarantees the building's original intended purpose (training, nature tourism in the Endla bog) and prevents further waste of taxpayer money.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller asked the Minister if he wished to participate in the discussions, then closed the debate due to the refusal, and announced that the eighth item on today's agenda had thus been completed.