Dovrefjell–Sunndalsfjella National Park

Dovrefjell–Sunndalsfjella National Park (Norwegian: Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella nasjonalpark) is a National Park in Norway. It was established in 2002 to replace and enlarge the former Dovrefjell National Park, established in 1974. It occupies 1,693 square kilometres (654 sq mi) and encompasses areas in three Norwegian counties: Innlandet, Trøndelag, and Møre og Romsdal and includes large parts of the mountain range of Dovrefjell. Together with the National Park, there are eight landscape protected areas and two biotope protected areas that were established adjacent to the park in 2002, comprising a total protected area of 4,366 square kilometres (1,686 sq mi), including also parts of Hedmark county.

Dovrefjell–Sunndalsfjella National Park
IUCN category II (national park)
Dovrefjell in late autumn
LocationInnlandet, Trøndelag, and Møre og Romsdal, Norway
Nearest cityTrondheim
Coordinates62°23′48″N 9°10′23″E[1]
Area1,693 km2 (654 sq mi)
Established3 May 2002
Governing bodyDovrefjell nasjonalparkstyre (Dovrefjell National Park Board)

Ecology

The National Park was established to

  • preserve a large, continuous and essentially untouched mountain area,
  • preserve an alpine ecosystem with its natural biodiversity,
  • preserve an important part of the range of the stocks of wild reindeer in Snøhetta and Knutshø,
  • safeguard a variation in habitats,
  • preserve the landscape morphology and its distinctive geological deposits,
  • protect cultural heritage.

The public do have access to experience the nature through the exercise of the traditional and simple outdoor life, with technical infrastructure only established to a very modest extent.[2]

In short: To preserve an intact alpine ecosystem with its indigenous wild reindeer. Together with the reindeer in Rondane National Park the last remaining population of wild Fennoscandian reindeer of possible Beringia origin (other wild Norwegian reindeer are of European origin and have interbred with domesticated reindeer to a various extent), wolverine, and various large birds as golden eagle and gyrfalcon can be seen, and also the recently (1947) imported (and potentially dangerous) musk oxen. Arctic fox was common a hundred years ago, diminished gradually from approx. 1900 and went extinct in the area approx 1990. A reintroduction program from 2010 on has so far been successful.

Some of the plant life predates the last ice age. There are many endemisms in the area.

Although it is a harsh environment, the mountains, the highest being Snøhetta at 2,286 m, make for spectacular hiking during the summer and skiing in the winter. Due to rather long walks between mostly unstaffed huts, great areas without huts and trails and harsh and unstable weather conditions, this area is recommended for experienced and well-equipped wanderers only.

An unequalled natural attraction in Norway is the 156 m high waterfall down in Åmotan (62°30′36.14″N 9°03′32.26″E).[3] It is located at road 70 between Oppdal and Sunndalsøra at the northern border of Åmotan-Grøvudalen Landscape Protected Area, on the northern edge of Dovrefjell–Sunndalsfjella National Park.[4]

Waterfall Åmotan
Musk ox in Dovre-Sunndalsfjella National Park.

Administration

The park is divided into a major western part and a minor eastern part by the European route E6 paralleled with the main railway between Oslo and Trondheim. Altogether the protected area amounts 4,365 square kilometres (1,685 sq mi) and also includes areas in the county of Hedmark in addition to the three of the National Park.

The park, its five adjacent landscape protection areas, and two biotope-protected areas are managed by the National Park Board of Dovrefjell.[5] This is a governmental board: the members are from the same eight municipalities and four counties as the former Dovrefjell Council. They are nominated by those municipalities and counties, and appointed by the Ministry for the Environment. The members are much the same persons (local mayors) as in the Dovrefjell council and one may still consider Dovrefjell–Sunndalsfjella National Park as being managed locally.

The former management model from July 2003 was a trial intended to last until July 2007. The final decision on the permanent management model was made in August 2010[6] and the new board was formally established on 4 January 2011. The Dovrefjell council was closed down during 2011 and its website closed.

From 2007 to 2011 the Dovrefjell Council managed the National Park and co-ordinated the management of the other areas. The council consisted of the eight involved municipalities and four counties, with political representatives, usually the mayors, elected by the members. Except for the National Park, the conservation areas were managed by the municipality or municipalities (some PAs comprises more than one municipality). The council's responsibility for coordinating regional planning and society development, mainly through the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism of The EUROPARC Federation are now being transferred to the new board.

See also

References
  1. Approx. geographic centre
  2. Cited & translated from the regulations of the park
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-12-10. Retrieved 2014-12-10.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-01-01. Retrieved 2014-12-10.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. Dovrefjell nasjonalparkstyre - the Dovrefjell National Park Board
  6. letter from the Secretary of Environment to the Dovrefjell municipalities, August 11, 2010 Letter on new administration
  • Dovrefjell nasjonalparkstyre - the Dovrefjell National Park Board. Management, information about regulations and restrictions, animal and plan life, outdoor life, etc. Norwegian text only.
  • Park regulations
  • The park in Brief Norwegian Government's pages on the park - alas, the English page is down at present
  • Map Interactive map of the Park and surrounding areas (Silverlight, not Chrome compatible!)
  • Turistforeningen Home pages of Norwegian Mountain Touring Association
  • Norwegian Academy of Science: Dovre
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