19 Norwegian forest areas protected

In Tjongspollen nature reserve in Bømlo municipality you will find purple lavender forest and rainforest with a variety of endangered lichen and moss species. This is a core area for these natural habitats in Norway and worldwide. Photo: Magnus Johan Steinsvåg / County Governor of Hordaland.

19 additional Norwegian forest areas protected

19 additional forest areas totaling 94 square kilometers are decided to be protected. After this, more than 4 per cent of Norway’s forests are now protected.

 

Steep hill with old spruce and pine forest in Skarvberget and Tallåsen nature reserve in Rendalen municipality.  Photo:Rein Midteng / regjeringen.no

The forested areas are located in ten different counties. Along with several other areas are pine forests and ancient spruce forest areas in Hedmark, Oak forests in Østfold, Vestfold and the two Agder counties and rain forest in Hordaland.

It is partly a question of voluntary protection of privately owned forests and also partial protection of state owned forests, according to the Government. The scheme of voluntary protection of privately owned forests started in 2003, and since then around 300 areas have been protected.

– I would like to thank the many forest owners who enter into voluntary protection of their properties. The good cooperation between the environmental authorities and the forest owners has resulted in increased protection of forested area, respect for private property rights and fewer conflicts, says Minister of Climate and Environment, Vidar Helgesen (Conservatives).

56 square kilometers of the protected areas are productive forests.

The following areas are now protected

  • Regnåsen and Hisåsen nature reserve in Trysil municipality, Hedmark county
  • Granbekken and Drevja nature reserve in Trysil municipality, Hedmark county
  • Buberget in Våler municipality nature reserve, Hedmark county
  • Hemberget in Våler municipality nature reserve, Hedmark county
  • Skarvberet and Tallåsen nature reserve in Rendalen municipality, Hedmark county
  • Valsjøberget and Andråsberget nature reserve in Rendalen municipality, Hedmark county
  • Tøråsen nature reserve in Stor-Elvdal municipality, Hedmark county
  • Gråkletten nature reserve in Stor-Elvdal municipality, Hedmark county
  • Eldåa nature reserve (expansion) in the municipality of Stor-Elvdal, Hedmark county
  • Stiksåsen nature reserve in Rakkestad municipality, Østfold county
  • Regimentmyra nature reserve in Fredrikstad municipality, Østfold county
  • Storås and Spirås Nature Reserve in Sandefjord Municipality, Vestfold County
  • Dasvassdalen nature reserve in Evje and Hornnes municipality, Aust-Agder County
  • Birkelid nature reserve in Songdalen municipality, West-Agder County
  • Fjellstulfjellet nature reserve (expansion) in Notodden and Kongsberg municipalities, Telemark and Buskerud counties
  • Simaklub nature reserve (extension) in Hemne municipality, Nordland county
  • Lille Sølensjø Nature Reserve (expansion and change) in Rendalen Municipality, Hedmark County
  • Øyjernen nature reserve (expansion) in Gjøvik and Søndre Land municipalities, Oppland county
  • Tjongspollen nature reserve in Bømlo municipality, Hordaland county

Areas No. 1-9 and 15 are located on Statskog SF’s site, where area no. 8 also comprises areas owned by the Information Society Fund. Other areas are included in the scheme of voluntary protection of privately owned forests, where area 14 also includes land owned by the Environmental Protection Agency.

 

© NTB Scanpix / Norway Today