Børgefjell National Park

The Børgefjell National Park (Norwegian: Børgefjell nasjonalpark, South Sami: Byrkije nasjonalpark ) is Norway's second oldest national park. On August 9, founded in 1963 with an area of ​​around 1000 km ² and in 1971 and expanded in 2003, it now includes a protected area of 1,447 km ².

The park is one of the municipalities Hattfjelldalen, Grane, Namsskogan and Røyrvik, in the provinces of Nordland and Nord-Trøndelag. In the east it is bordered by Sweden and the north by the Austre Tiplingan nature reserve.

The Nordland National Park Centre, in the town Saltdal on the E6, acts as an information center for all national parks in the province of Nordland and thus also for the Børgefjell. The nearest National Park is established in 2009 Lomsdal - Visten National Park.

Geography, Geology and landscape

The Børgefjell is part of the Scandinavian Mountains, which, formed in the Precambrian before 1.7 billion years ago. The predominant rock type is granite or gneiss.

The park covers 270-1699 moh. The landscape is divided naturally into three parts. To the west is a mountain range with the highest peaks in the park. Here is also the highest peak, 1,699 meters high Kvigtinden. The mountain range is marked in this part of black granite. To the east is a somewhat lower, largely vegetation-free mountain range, dominated by large moraines. In between there is a flatter and more fertile area with gentle slopes and many lakes and streams.

The largest lakes are the Simskardvatnet and Orrevatnet. In addition, the rivers Jengelvassdraget, Vefsna and Namsen rise here.

Flora and Fauna

About 300 different plant species occur in the park. The tree line is at 500-600 moh. The forest consists largely of birch trees. Chance also occur spruces and pines.

Is known of the park for the Arctic fox, which occurs here in any numbers. However, the most common predator is the wolverine. Also, lynx and brown bears are sighted from time to time in the park. In smaller mammals live in the park red fox and arctic fox, weasel, marten and ermine. The park is also home to a rich variety of bird life that is an ideal habitat in the water-rich and densely vegetated soils of the lowlands. The most common bird of prey is the rough-legged buzzard. In addition, the park is an important food and nesting space for ducks, plovers, other waterfowl and waders and birds of prey.

Cultural heritage and current use

The Børgefjell used the seeds as a pasture for their reindeer herds. This economic use, including the erection of gates, is expressly permitted by the Regulation on the establishment of the park. The oldest evidence for the historical use of the park acreage serve as the remains of huts, which served as the seed beds.