New National Park in Sallatunturi
Now it’s official. Finnish Parliament approved the proposal of establishing a new national park in Sallatunturi, the eastern part of Finnish Lapland. Sallatunuri will be the 41st national park in Finland.
Minister of the Environment and Climate Krista Mikkonen yesterday (23 November) said that the parliament approved the government proposal to establish the national park in Salla and it’s impressive that the network of national parks increasing in Finland.
The Sallatunturi National Park is easily reachable by public transportation directly from the capital city Helsinki.
“This year (2021), Finns have discovered nature with unprecedented enthusiasm. Nature has brought peace during exceptional times, and the number of visitors to the national parks increased by as much as 20 percent in the early part of the year. National parks are outdoor activities for every Finn, but above all they preserve and strengthen biodiversity. As nature becomes impoverished, we need more of these oases. That is why it is great that we are now moving forward in establishing new national parks, ”says Minister of the Environment and Climate Krista Mikkonen.
Picture by: Iida-Aletta Pirttilä
National park Sallatunturi, Lapland
Sallatunturi National Park would be established in a nature conservation area belonging to the Natura 2000 network. The area of about 10,000 hectares is a valuable entity in terms of natural values, ecologically and scenically intact, right on the eastern border of Finland. The landscapes of Sallatunturi range from the fells and ridges to the gorge valley of Aatsinginhauda, which is about 250 meters deep. The nature of the area emphasizes old, high-growing forests formed by artillery snow, as well as diverse bog marshes.
National parks in Lapland
There are 40 national parks in Finland and Sallatunturi is the 41st . The national parks are extensive nature conservation areas with the crucial task of ensuring biodiversity and giving people the opportunity to relax and enjoy nature. The parks have marked hiking routes, nature trails and campfire sites. Visitors can also stay overnight in the national parks at designated camping sites or shelters and huts.
Now eight of the 41 national parks in Finland are located in Lapland. They are Lemmenjoki national park, Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, Urho Kekkonen national park, Riisitunturi national park, Oulanka national park, Pyhä-Luosto national park, Bothnian bay national park and Sallatunturi National Park in Salla.
Source: VisitLapland [24-11-2021]
