In recent decades, overgrowth has become an increasing problem in Norway. Also on the coast, the small forest takes over where grazing animals previously kept the landscape open. On the island of Leka, farthest north in Trøndelag, the landscape has almost grown back. – We just have to do something. Remember that around 20,000 tourists come to our island every summer. Then we have to show off all the great places, says Willy Hansen. He and several other well-adult laymen have taken up the chainsaw. With support from the municipality, this summer they will take up the fight against the deciduous forest that is growing all over the island. – Something terrible is growing again, but we will take away the forest around the whole island. Then we fill roundup on the stumps. Then it does not grow so fast again, says the pensioner. The archipelago Leka Leka is a coastal municipality located in the northwest of Nord-Trøndelag, and consists of the islands Leka, Austra, Hortaøyene and Sklinnaøyene. The island of Leka is known for its very distinctive geology, and in 2010 was named Norway’s geological national monument. For many, Leka is best known for the eagle prey, which has become one of Leka’s tourist attractions. In addition, you can visit one of Norway’s largest burial mounds, Herlaugshaugen, and experience rare cave paintings in Solsemhula. The highest mountain on the island is Vattinden (418 masl). ARRIVAL: The nearest airport is Rørvik, which Widerøe flies to. From here you can take a speedboat to Leka. If you fly with SAS or Norwegian to Trondheim airport, it is four to five hours by car north. For the shortest route, follow the E6 all the way to Gartland, before taking the Rv775 towards Høylandet and later the Rv17 in the direction of Brønnøysund. At Bindalseidet, turn left towards Gutvik / Leka. Ferry from Gutvik to Skei on Leka. The distance between Oslo and Leka is just over 800 kilometers. ACCOMMODATION: If it is not tempting to spend the night in a tent, you can visit Leka motel and camping, Vertshuset Herlaug, Leka pier or Nausthaugen cabins. If you come by boat, there is a guest harbor with shower, toilet and washing machine on Skei. ACTIVITIES: The toy is small, but still an eldorado for you who enjoy an active outdoor life in unique surroundings. Here you can cycle, walk in the ocher yellow mountains (here are many marked hiking trails) and paddle along the exciting coastline in a kayak. There are also good sea fishing opportunities around the island. Leka experiences arranges guided tours, while Leka boat association rents out bicycles. MORE INFO: www.kystriksveien.no, www.trondelag.com and Leka tourist information on 743 99 770. The scrub forest grows densely along the road that turns around Leka. But the volunteer gang thinks they will get most of it removed during the summer. Photo: Espen Sandmo / news Climate change and fewer grazing animals Researcher Anders Bryn at the Natural History Museum in Oslo believes that it is first and foremost less use of outfields, and in places less use of infields that makes the country grow again. – But climate change also contributes to faster overgrowth, and rising forest boundaries in the mountains, says Bryn. He believes that more animals grazing in the open is one of the solutions to get rid of the scrub forest. – It is the simplest tool. More domestic animals in the field, and preferably with increased use of goats because they graze more shrubs and bushes than sheep and cattle. But also an extended grazing season, salt stones in important localities, the use of no-fences, and barrier fences can contribute to increased grazing where it is especially important. But that of course presupposes livestock and farms that are still in operation, says Anders Bryn. Tourism is worried NHO Reiseliv is also worried that nature will grow again, and important tourist gems will disappear. – I have said it for several years, and can hardly repeat how important agriculture and grazing animals are to keep the landscape open and to preserve old cultural landscapes, says communications director Merete Habberstad in NHO Reiseliv. – Without sheep, goats and cows on summer pasture, the land will grow again. It will have major consequences for Norwegian tourism, she believes. Leka has been named Norway’s geological national monument with its special olive stone and serpentinite. Photo: Espen Sandmo / news And it’s not just on Leka and the coast of Trøndelag that the tourist pearls disappear into the scrub forest. It is just as bad in Lofoten, where the famous tourist road E10 has been regrown by scrub forest. The shrubbery has also established itself along several of the mountain sides. Lofoten is also growing again – If you go for a walk in the Lofoten Mountains, the view will be blocked in many places because forests and scrub have come up, said researcher at the Norwegian Institute for Bioeconomics (Nibio), Finn-Arne Haugen to news last year. Already in 2011, several researchers warned that large parts of Norway were about to grow again. Something that hinders the view and affects tourism. – The cost of maintaining the cultural landscape and a vibrant District Norway is low, compared to the quality of life that scattered settlement provides. Taking care of the cultural landscape will provide a strengthened tourism and agricultural industry and also benefit the community. We can not expect that the farmers in the long run will work for free to keep the cultural landscape open, forskning.no wrote 11 years ago. Cleansing on a voluntary basis But in 2022, deforestation on a voluntary basis still applies. At least at Leka, north of Trøndelag. – Yes, we all do our part so that the tourists who visit our island can see how beautiful it is, Willy Hansen emphasizes. For Leka is a unique island. Named Norway’s Geological National Monument for the special olive stone and serpentinite. The scrub forest grows fast on Leka, and many other places along the coast of Norway. Climate change and fewer grazing animals are the reason why the forest is growing so fast. Photo: Espen Sandmo / news Per Otto Furre is another who uses a chainsaw on a voluntary basis to clear away the scrub forest. – In many places it is almost like driving through a green tunnel. During the summer, we will clear so much that people can see both the sea and the mountains here on the island. It is important for all of us, Furre believes. The eagle robbery at Leka * In 1932, three and a half year old Svanhild was taken by an eagle and carried up on a mountain ledge in the rock. She was later found in the best of health. * The story has been told in both books and movies. * It has been claimed that the three-year-old probably climbed the mountain shelf himself. Source: Wikipedia. Near the mountain where little Svanhild Hartvigsen was taken by the eagle in 1932, the cyclist Arne Vestli, who is on a holiday trip along the coast, stops. – The most beautiful things about Leka are the special rocks and mountains. Now I also see how important it is that the forest is removed. Then the mountain is shown in a much better way. All homage to those who line up with a chainsaw, says Vestli before he rides on. At Leka, the volunteers will clear large amounts of scrub forest during the summer. Photo: Espen Sandmo / news
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Willy (75) turns the saga to clean up the tourist gem – news Trøndelag
