Mountains, fjords, and glaciers define Norway’s landscape. In a bid to protect these natural wonders against human development and the climate crisis, the country will designate 10 new national parks. Six recognized conservation areas will be reclassified as national parks, and four entirely new areas will also receive national park status. Additionally, Norway will expand eight existing parks. Norwegian officials hope these designations will help protect the country’s biodiversity.
As Norway’s Minister of the Environment and Climate Sveinung Rotevatn explained in a press release translated by Norway Today, “development is taking an increasing toll on nature. Therefore, the government now wants to start more protection processes where both the local municipalities and the Norwegian Environment Agency recommend that a national park is built.”
The six newly designated national parks include Ålfotbreen, Lyngsalpan, Sylan, Trollheimen, Oksøy-Ryvingen, and Flekkefjord-Listastrendene. Moving westward, the four new national parks will include Hornelen, Masfjordfjella, Øystesefjella, and the Sunnmøre Alps. Meanwhile, the existing national parks to be expanded include Rohkunborri, Blåfjella-Skjækerfjella, Skarvan-Roltdalen, Femundsmarka, Dovre, Jostedalsbreen, Jotunheimen, and Raet.
“We’re trying to improve the ecological system as a whole by increasing the percentage of the protected areas in the country, but there’s a sociocultural dimension that involves getting acceptance from the people living in these areas before we can start the process,” Kjell Kvingedal, an environmental director with the Norway government, told Afar.
Currently, 17% of Norway’s land falls under government protection. By 2030, the country hopes to raise that number to 30%. Both Kvingedal and Rotevatn recognize the importance of community support in this process.
“There will always be different views on new protected areas. Some may be unsure of what it may mean for their interests, so we must ensure there are good processes so everyone will have input,” Rotevatn said.
Lead image via Stian Engen