The Nature Conservation Agency of Iceland (Náttúruverndarstofnun) plans to designate the Hjálpleysa area in Skriðdal, eastern Iceland, and its surrounding watershed as a protected site. This move, first reported by Mannlíf, could affect local land use and hunting access and reflects a renewed focus on preserving Iceland’s unique landscapes and wildlife.
The proposed conservation area includes Hjálpleysa itself and the adjacent watershed of Gilsá at Vellir, altogether covering about 26 square kilometres, according to Mannlíf. Discussions with the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate, the municipality of Múlaþing, and local landowners are underway to develop the protection plan.
The announcement comes as Iceland’s ptarmigan hunting season begins. Despite renewed interest this year, the number of active ptarmigan hunters has declined over time. Meanwhile, dozens of gun owners have participated in hunting training held by the Shooting Association of Iceland in recent weeks.
The ptarmigan population, crucial to the hunting season, is now reported to be stronger than it has been in decades. “Good ptarmigan hunting is not about killing as many ptarmigan as possible,” one participant, Bjarnþóra María, told Vísir. This comment, translated from Icelandic, highlights the balance hunters and conservationists are seeking between tradition and stewardship as new protections are considered.
Background
The Nature Conservation Agency of Iceland (Náttúruverndarstofnun) is a government agency responsible for nature conservation and protection. It was established on 1 July 2024 through the merger of the former Natural Science Institute of Iceland (Náttúrufræðistofnun Íslands), the National Land Survey of Iceland (Landmælingar Íslands), and the Nature Research Station at Mývatn (Náttúrurannsóknastöðin við Mývatn), and operates under the Icelandic government.
Sources
- Mannlíf (first reported) in Icelandic
- RÚV in Icelandic
- Vísir in Icelandic
Image: Avis28 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) · licence, original (resized) Illustrative image.
