Development is monitored closely, and it is controlled by means of forest certification (FFCS), for one. The system ensures that Northeast Finland’s most important wood products are produced on the principle of sustainable development, which takes into consideration biotopes, organisms and the demands of reindeer husbandry.

Forests are important to local people in many ways. For example, in some years the income from berry picking has exceeded the income from forest sales. Forests are also valued from the viewpoint of leisure time and hunting.