"A railway will affect the income and existence of the reindeer herding communities in the entire area from Rovaniemi in Finland to Kirkenes in Norway."
"'I can clearly state that there is no way for a railway from Rovaniemi to Kirkenes to be built without harming Sámi culture, traditional Sámi reindeer herding and fishing,' says President of the Saami Council, Åsa Larsson Blind, to the Barents Observer.
The Saami Council is a non-governmental organization promoting Sámi rights and interests. The council has Sámi member groups in Finland, Norway, Russia and Sweden.
In a statement, the council says no matter what trace options are chosen, either on the eastern or western side of Lake Inari, such railway would cut trough important reindeer pastures and migration patterns."
Thomas Nilsen reports for the Barents Observer September 24, 2018.
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