– Those who try to implement this will have a face-to-face meeting with reality, says the head of the Sirdal business association about a proposal to scrap approved cabin plans that come into conflict with the endangered wild reindeer.
The alpine slope at Ådneram is close to the national wild reindeer area in Setesdal Ryfylke. Photo: Jarle AaslandPublished: Published:
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On 1 December, urgent proposals for a new state action plan will be submitted, which will improve living conditions in the country’s national reindeer areas.
Hut building has been pointed out as one of the biggest problems for the endangered wild reindeer, because it leads to a lot of traffic into the habitats.
The proposal to scrap approved cabin areas comes from a professional group that has discussed an action plan for the wild reindeer in Rogaland and Agder.
If this is carried out, it could have major consequences for Sirdal, among others.
The municipality has approximately 4,300 holiday homes today. A total of 3,565 acres of land has already been developed or prepared for holiday homes. In addition, almost 12,000 acres have been set aside for more cabin construction. Last winter, large numbers of reindeer were observed at Hilleknuten in Sirdal. Photo: Ivar Anton Nøttestad
Will limit cabin construction
Here are some samples from the professional group’s recommendations.
The scope of cottage construction should be limited in general. The national reindeer areas should be expanded, where possible. Unrealized development areas that are negative for wild reindeer should be removed from municipal plans and regulatory plans. An overview of such areas should be made as soon as possible and these must be followed up to remove the areas that are most negative for the wild reindeer. It should also be considered to introduce a new legal authority that gives the state the opportunity to change or cancel approved cabin plans. New fee. It should not be free to destroy nature.
Aftenbladet has previously discussed other proposals to close tourist trails, move tourist huts and reduce the opening hours for the Brokke-Suleskardvegen.
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Skeptical
Sirdal municipality has made arrangements for a large-scale development of holiday homes and investment in tourism. With the development, there has been an increase in outdoor activities in the mountains. This is positive for public health, but for the wild reindeer it can turn out to be negative.
Inge Oliversen
Head of the Sirdal business association
Inge Oliversen is head of the Sirdal business association, where several developers are members.
– We have to see what attitude we should have towards the individual proposals. Some are controversial. If the action plan leads to the re-regulation of regulated cabin fields, then someone incurs liability for damages. Then it must be accompanied by funds for implementation, says Oliversen.
The trade association supports the overall idea of improving conditions for the wild reindeer. Oliversen thinks it is an advantage to have the proposals debated.
– The wild reindeer tribe is a great curiosity and many people visit Sirdal to get that part of nature on their retinas. No one wants to scare the animals. The best solutions to ensure good conditions for the wild reindeer lie in a good dialogue with landowners, tourism and outdoor interests.
Overview photo of a cottage field at Ådneram in Sirdal from 2010. Photo: Jon Ingemundsen
– Too drastic
When the municipal council in Sirdal discussed wild reindeer before the summer, there was broad support for the action plan. A narrow majority of 10–9 (Høyre, Sp, KrF and Frp) would wait until 1 December and see what comes, while the minority would implement local measures straight away.
– We have a lot of cabin construction and will probably have to look at it. Maybe change it a bit. Consolidate it as everything is built. Build further down the valley. Take responsibility in that way, we absolutely have to do that, said deputy mayor Isak Liland (H) and signaled that it is appropriate to roll the municipal plan early in the new election period.
Mayor Jonny Liland (Ap) points out that it is not new that cabin construction and wild reindeer are topics. He also points out that the proposals have not been adopted.
– Sirdal must also take responsibility when it comes to the protection of wild reindeer, but stopping all cabin construction without further ado is too drastic. Everyone must contribute: National Forestry, the power industry, the tourism industry, the sheep industry. Sirdal should contribute constructively to putting together a total package that looks after both wild reindeer and living villages, he believes.
Red light for the wild reindeer
The reindeer is now on the Norwegian red list – the overview of species at risk of extinction.
The biggest threat to the wild reindeer is disturbance and encroachment by humans.
The construction of roads, railways, power lines, cottage towns, large power developments and other infrastructure have largely limited the range of movement of the wild reindeer.
Norway now has 24 fragmented wild reindeer areas, of which ten have national status. The quality standard for wild reindeer is a traffic light system that states how good the condition of the wild reindeer is in each individual wild reindeer area, and when management measures should be introduced. Six out of ten national reindeer areas have poor quality (red): Setesdal Ryfylke, Hardangervidda, Knutshø, Snøhetta, Rondane and Nordfjella.
The government has tasked the country’s state administrators with drafting action plans to improve the living conditions of the wild reindeer.
The state administrator in Agder has been commissioned to lead the work on a draft action plan for the Setesdal Ryfylke wild reindeer area, and must deliver a recommendation by 1 December 2023.
The action plan must be processed by the Norwegian Environment Agency and the Ministry of Climate and the Environment. Then there will be a hearing and finally a decision. Perhaps the final action plan will be adopted late in the autumn of next year.
Published:
Published: October 8, 2023 7:26 am
2023-10-08 05:26:28
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