Ullensvang municipality is now sharply criticized for having approved many helicopter trips to Trolltunga in recent years. This is clear from a letter from the State Administrator. It was the local newspaper Hardanger Folkeblad that first wrote about the criticism. Since 2020, the mayor of Ullensvang has married couples at the top of the world-famous tourist attraction. Every year they have had a new record. In 2023 there were 13 couples, this year there were 20. Couples who get married have to walk to the top on their own two feet, but the mayor is transported by helicopter this one day. In June, the artist Kygo recorded a music video there with a large crew and a lot of equipment. He was licensed for 20 flights. – Not necessary The State Administrator in Vestland reacts to all helicopter traffic in the area. Both when it concerns marriage goals at the top and Kygo’s video production. – Production of music videos must be considered to be a general commercial interest that does not in itself have a useful purpose or something that the artist has a pressing need to carry out at Trolltunga. The requirement for special reasons is therefore basically not met in this case, writes the State Administrator in a letter to Ullensvang municipality. A Cork wedding ceremony or concert recording is important enough for the municipality to be given permission to land by helicopter on Trolltunga, the State Administrator believes. They are taking a serious look at how Ullensvang municipality practices the regulations on motoring in rural areas. Trolltunga Trolltunga is a rock formation around 1,180 meters above sea level. The mountain spring protrudes horizontally from the mountain 7-800 meters above Ringedalsvatnet in Skjeggedal by Tyssedal in Ullensvang municipality in Vestland county. To get to Trolltunga you have to travel to Odda, then to Skjeggedal via Tyssedal. Here you have to go to Mågelitopp by following the path along the track up. From here you have to go east for around 4-5 hours to get to Trolltunga, one way. Round trip takes 10-11 hours. The place has a panoramic view towards Hardangervida, Folgefonna and the mountains around Ringedalsvannet. The number of visitors has exploded after the website Tripadvisor in 2012 referred to Trolltunga as one of the world’s most spectacular tourist destinations. In 2010, less than 1,000 people made the trip a year, compared to 81,000 visitors in 2019. Peregrine falcons and golden eagles In the area near Trolltunga, there is a previously known nesting site for peregrine falcons, and golden eagles have been observed in the area. According to Hardanger Folkeblad, the state administrator has requested a meeting with the municipality. – We will get the meeting done quickly because we are taking this seriously, says environment director Kjell Kvingedal at the State Administrator in Vestland to news. He will not go into the matter in more detail until he has had the meeting with the management in Ullensvang municipality. Kygo is an international star and we think it’s worth making an exception for, says mayor Roald Aga Haug in Ullensvang. Photo: Tale Hauso / news – Great Norwegian advertisement Mayor Roald Aga Haug (Ap) in Ullensvang refutes the criticism from the State Administrator in Vestland. – We stand for this. Both the music video for Kygo and the annual wedding ceremony are great advertisements for the whole of Norway and for Norwegian nature. Kygo is an international star who reaches insanely far. And also the picture of the couple who get married where one day a year the world goes round, says Aga Haug to news. Ullensvang municipality, and formerly Odda, has said no to most wishes to land on Trolltunga. These two incidents were the exception, says Aga Haug and emphasizes that he is looking forward to a dialogue with the State Administrator in Vestland. – I think we will agree on a common understanding there. There won’t be more cases where stars like Kygo are involved for the foreseeable future. It was unique, says the mayor. 2.3 million people have so far seen the music video Kygo recorded at Trolltunga. Photo: Annika Byrde / NTB Music video at the top Kygo’s concert video, where he plays a grand piano on Trolltunga, among other things, has 2.3 million views on YouTube at the time of writing. Large parts of the video are filmed with a drone, and you can also see a helicopter flying over Trolltunga. Throughout the one-hour video, guests include artists such as Sigrid, Zak Abel, Hayla, Matt Hansen, Plested, Sandro Cavazza and Fred Well. Published 19.08.2024, at 22.20
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