The state spends large resources annually on the management of national parks and nature reserves. Now, for the first time, the National Audit Office is starting an examination of how effective the work is.
“The administration must contribute to a number of different goals within environmental policy and promote people’s opportunities for outdoor life and recreation in protected natural areas. It is a complex assignment that involves prioritizing between different goals,” says Auditor General Helena Lindberg on the authority’s website.
Around 15 percent of Sweden’s surface is protected in some form. There are 30 national parks and around 5,300 nature reserves.
At the same time, the area of protected nature continues to increase. In combination with more and more people seeking out nature, the demands on management are increasing. According to the National Audit Office, due to limited resources, it is important that responsible authorities “make effective priorities” and ensure that “the measures implemented are cost-effective”.
The review, which should tentatively be completed in April next year, covers national parks and government-decided nature reserves. Natura 2000 areas, biotope protection areas and municipal nature reserves are not included.