Support for a National Park in the Highlands of Iceland Grows

A very important petition is now active, which aims to create a National Park in the mostly unspoiled highland interior of Iceland. A coalition of groups here in Iceland is behind this project, and this is a cause that is quite close to my heart. Below is an article written by Steinar Kaldal, Project Manager of Hálendið-Iceland National Park. Please sign the petition and follow this project on the web, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The Icelandic central highlands offer extraordinary scenery and form one of the largest remaining areas of uncultivated land in Europe.

Although beautiful nature and this kind of vast wilderness can, of course, be found elsewhere, such as in the Arctic or the Namib Desert, in no other place can a traveler experience the same variety of nature that unfolds before the eyes over a few days in the central highlands of Iceland.

This great variety of landscape featuring dynamic nature with alien-like features is what makes the highland region unique, surprising the spectator with glaciers, glacial rivers, glacially sculpted landscapes, barren plateaus, colorful geothermal areas, clear springs, lava fields, steep and oddly shaped mountains and mountain rigs, permafrost areas, and beautifully colored tundra vegetation.

However, over the last few decades, the energy industry has been pressing for the construction of power plants, reservoirs, and overhead power lines, which would ruin the area’s natural uniqueness. For that reason, environmental NGOs, outdoor organizations, and the Icelandic Travel Industry Association have formed a coalition to establish a national park in the central highlands. The coalition represents outdoor recreationists, including 4×4 enthusiasts, hunters, conservation advocates, and others who realize that their greatest opportunity to be effective in protecting the Icelandic highlands is through a unified voice. Also, polls show that the majority of Icelanders support making the central highlands a national park. Over 60% support it, and only 12% are against it. Another important fact, according to polls, is that a majority supports the idea among supporters of all political parties.

Domestic support for the Highland Park is crucial, but international support is no less important. Research has shown that 80% of tourists mention Icelandic nature as the number one reason for visiting the country, and 50% mention that they come to Iceland specifically to experience the vast, untouched wilderness that characterizes the Icelandic central highlands. Also, according to another study, roughly 90% of tourists who have visited the highlands say they would not like to see power plants, overhead power lines, reservoirs, built-up roads, and hotels there.

Preserving the Icelandic central highlands is thus important for all future generations, not only those who will live in Iceland. And, like all other conservation efforts, it’s an issue that matters to everyone living on the Pale Blue Dot.

Those who want to show their support can sign a petition for a national park in the central highlands of Iceland.