As in the rest of the world,
Lithuania environment has also faced the threat of environmental degradation. The rapid rise in the rate at which the environment is deteriorating has prompted
the Lithuanian government to set up a number of nature reserves and national parks. The intensive agricultural program undertaken in the country which has led to a number of lands been deforested and put to agricultural use has drastically affected the flora and fauna of the country. Moreover, the establishment of heavy industries and nuclear plants have heightened the pollution levels in the country. The nuclear power plant at Ignalina operates a couple of reactors. They are very similar to the ones in Chernobyl. The industries lack proper waste disposal system and often end up polluting the water bodies by discharging industrial waste into the rivers. The cities of Lithuania namely Kaunas, Elektrenai, Naujoji Akmene, Jonava, Vilnius and Mazeikiai are all the more polluted owing to the presence of chemical factories, power stations, cement factories and oil refineries. The lakes and rivers of Lithuania are equally polluted with the Soviet authorities showing little concern for it. The forest cover in Lithuania has not been able to escape the environmental hazards and is greatly affected by the frequent acid rains. Environmental issues in Lithuania have emerged as one of the serious concerns and the introduction of regulations to curb environmental pollution is seen as a constructive step in this regard.
