Leili Mihkelson, a well-known forest activist and nature blogger in Estonia, has been an advocate for environmental protection and sustainable forestry through various media channels. Sadly, she is now facing a personal tragedy; her dementia has rendered her unable to manage her affairs. In a surprising turn of events, her family found that 5.8 hectares of ancient forest, adjacent to a protected area, was logged under a power of attorney they were unaware was still active. This shocking revelation has raised serious concerns about the management of her property and the integrity of the environmental authorities involved.

At 82, Mihkelson lives in a care home due to her deteriorating health, largely oblivious to the developments surrounding her ancestral land. Her family is deeply distressed to learn of the logging, particularly as it reflects a failure of oversight by the Environmental Board, which allowed legal contracts based on an outdated document to proceed. Raini Mihkelson, her son, emphasized the critical importance of preventing such exploitation, stating, "This kind of robbery cannot be allowed."

The article illuminates the broader implications of mismanagement and lack of care in protecting vulnerable individuals in property dealings. It highlights the pressing need for reforms in how powers of attorney are verified and monitored, particularly in cases involving elderly individuals with declining mental health. As environmental activists and the public react to this case, it raises vital questions about accountability within environmental legislation and ensuring that citizens' rights, especially those of the elderly or incapacitated, are safeguarded against exploitation.