Norway is adding a new National Park, on the edge of the Lofoten archipelago, but some of its neighbors are unhappy with the idea worrying about their lifestyles and fishing industry.
According to climate and environment minister Ola Elvestuen, “The new national park has landscape and nature types that do not exist in any of Norway’s other natural areas. We have now ensured that future generations will be able to enjoy the characteristic and unique landscape with its narrow, high peaks surround by open seas and deep fjords.”
Officials also say there will be minimal effect on life in the area, and that marine resources that will be included are not suitable for fishing. “There will not be more limitations on transport than are necessary to comply with regulations on preservation and the aim of preservation."
The area was one of the first regions to lose their ice at the end of the last Ice Age, resulting in some of the oldest types of mountain vegetation being found there.
“The area we have now protected also has extremely high cultural-historical value with traces of settlement going back to the Stone Age. Cave paintings at Kollhellaren and Bukkhammerhola hace been there since Stone Age people painted them on the walls around 3,000 years ago. That says a lot about how important this area was going back a long way,” Elvestuen said.
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