The Norwegian Minister of the Environment - Ola Elvestuen - announced the creation of a new National Park. It will cover the Lofoten archipelago in the Nordland County. In her opinion, this place is distinguished by its landscape and species of plants and animals that cannot be found anywhere else. The national park will be built despite protests from residents living there.
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Natural wealth
Ola Elvestuen appreciates the new National Park in particular for its nature, which in many places has remained intact since the last Ice Age. This means the chance to find older forms of mountain vegetation, which is of great importance for science. An additional value is the historical and cultural significance. The first traces of settlement date back to the Stone Age and date back to 8. years BC Cave paintings, which were created about 3 thousand years ago, are of particular importance.
Protests of residents and politicians
The idea of creating a National Park in the Lofoten archipelago did not appeal to residents and local politicians. Already in 2015, they voted against this idea. They are primarily concerned with severe restrictions and problems with economic development, which will be strictly regulated by environmental law. Ola Elvestuen, however, calms them down, saying that the inhabitants will not feel in practice the fact of creating a National Park in this area.
Catches will be limited
However, such assurances by the Minister of the Environment are not entirely true. It is worth mentioning that the two largest towns in the region are Moskenes and Flakstad, whose economies are based on fishing. Suffice it to mention that part of the National Park area will include areas where fishing is carried out.
New measures for the district
Ola Elvestuen also ensures that it will be possible to build facilities recreational activities in the area Park. He emphasizes that the creation of a protected area means more funds from the state budget for the district administration. This means greater opportunities to protect water purity, which is expected to have a positive impact on fishing.
