Along with mining, the forest is one of the important sectors of the Finnish economy. Of the revenue from Finland’s commodities exports in 2017, 20% consisted of forest industry products [11]. Logging in forests in the North has always been problematic given the slowly growing Arctic tundra and the Sami peoples' traditional reindeer pastures [12]. 

Aalistunturi has been subject to logging activities, authorised by Metsähallitus, a state enterprise that manages lands and waters in the area [2][10]. Although the enterprise has stated that logging activities will not be carried out within protected area boundaries [10], the movement has strongly opposed such activities [2][4][7] [8]. Besides that, the enterprise is keeping secret as to which companies exactly is the timber sold [2][3]. 

By February 13th 2023, logging operations had been stopped four times by Metsäliike protests [2]. At the time, the logging operations were halfway completed and Metsähallitus aims to finalise the project by early March, 2023 [1][2]. A national park has also been suggested for the area, and therefore, the activists are requesting that Metsähallitus halt the logging activities until the national park status has been decided by the Finnish Ministry of the Environment [1].

During the demonstrations, Finnish police dismantled the activists’ blocking camp at the site on two occasions [2]. About 10 activists were detained, but released shortly after. Even so, the activists went back to the site but were prevented from doing so by the police [2][7].

Activists stated that they will continue to protect the forest. “The demonstration will continue as long as it has to continue or is allowed to continue. We want to defend the Aalistunturi region,” one of the activists stated [2]. Other activists stated that "[They] will leave when the forest machines leave too" [8].

In addition, the Administrative Court of Northern Finland rejected a complaint by the Finnish Nature League, in which the League demanded the logging activities in the area be suspended; while a formal complaint by the League against the logging operation is currently being processed [1][2][4][7].