Everyman’s right
Archipelago Sea has many unique and fragile features. Every man’s right gives us the opportunity to get to know them better, although there are matters to be considered.
In Finland, going into the nature doesn’t require much effort because of the everyman’s right. However, the freedom of enjoying the countryside brings along the obligation to leave the environment undisturbed. When visiting areas, man’s appearance should never harm or disturb anything or anyone in any way.
ASSIGNMENT 11
Find out what is meant by everyman’s right.
Respect and good manners carry a long way
- If you respect nature and people, the common sense usually takes care of the rest, notes Jouko Högmander from the Finnish forest administration. Also when roaming in the nature, it is recommended to keep good manners in mind. It is always better to ask if something is unclear, just to make sure you are not accidentally doing something wrong.
It is good to keep in mind that hiker and landowner can sometimes have a slightly different opinion on what is and what is not allowed according to everyman’s right. It can, for example, sometimes be difficult to determine where the border of the courtyard actually begins.
In Archipelago it is essential to take into account that the scenery is wide open and the hiker can be seen from far away by the landowner. For the observant the behaviour of the hiker may come across disturbing even if the visitor thinks otherwise.
The long history of everyman’s right
Everyman’s right originates from the times when the most of the population was living in the countryside. The wilderness outside the villages was considered as everyone’s possession. Hunting, gathering and using natural resources was allowed to everybody in the same way. Even nowadays to roam and pick berries and mushrooms form an important part of the many local cultures.
In many countries, such rights as everyman’s right are not that widely applied than in the Nordic Countries. This exceptional opportunity is good to be regarded as a fortune to the all people living in Finland.
More information:
Ministry of the Environment: Everyman’s right
