FARTHEST NORTH PARK.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3378, 13 June 1927, Page 8

FARTHEST NORTH PARK.

Establishment of a natural park in Svalbard (Spitzbergen) is proposed in a report submitted to the Government by Adolf Hoel, lecturer at the University of Oslo and leader of the Norwegian Svalbard scientific expeditions. If Mr Hoel’s proposal is adopted, and i* appears likely that it will be the designated) territory will be the world’s northernmost natural • park, distant only a few hours’ flying tiine from the North Pole.

It would be a mistake, however, to assume from its proximity to the “top of the world” that the region is devoid or organic life. It is rich in animal life on land, in the sea. and in the air, and its varied Arctic© flora are the delight of botanists. It is for the protection of the animal a plant life of the archipelago that scientists and nature lovers are urging the adaption of the park project. In summer this northernmost reservation will be distinguished among its sister parks on other parts of the planet by enjoying perpetual daylight, and the golden glow of the midnight sun on clear nights casting its magio enchantment over the transcendental beauty of the Arctic landscape, and in the long winter months by a veil of perpetual darkness, lifted in clear weathre only by the moon, stars, and intermittently by the weird brilliancy and rainbow tinsts of the Aurora Borealis.

Conditions on these islands have changed considerably in the last twenty years. Previous to 1905 there was no permanent population. The only time the outside world heard of “Spitzbergen” was when the leaders of a Norwegian or other Arctic expedition established a base there. Now, as a result of the development of coal mining operations on a large scale, there is a permanent population, chiefly Norwegian, of about 2.000, and at the present rate of development it is difficult to say where this expansion- will end.

Since Norway undertook to establish a government in the former “No Man’s Land” in August, 1925, much lias beei* done to improve conditions. With the hoisting of the Norwegian flag came law and order. A large wireless station already had been established at Green Harbor. The spiritual welfare of the miners and their families wore not forgotten. A church was built and a regular priest of the established Church of Norway was sent up to take charge of the religious work. This is the northernmost parish in the world,

The regionu proposed by Mr Hoel to he set aside as a natural park reservation comprises the north-western part of Svalbard with all adjacent islands. holms and skerries. It is bounded on the south by the Tee Fjord, on the west and north by the Arctic Ocean, and on the east by the Wijde Fjord, the Dickson Fjord, and the valleys between these two fjords. Mr Hoel proposes to make it unlawful within these geographical limits to hunt or shoot any land or marine animal, catch fish, collect eggs and down, collect plants, remove drift timber or disturb the hot springs. Arctic hunters shall also he prohibited from wintering there.