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Environmental Protection
Flora and fauna on Svalbard have adapted to the difficult Arctic conditions, but the nature is still very fragile, and even minor encroachments can cause lasting damage. This is why special environmental regulations have been developed for Svalbard. The purpose of the Environmental Act of Svalbard and its appurtenant regulations is among others to ensure the protection of Svalbard’s vulnerable natural environment and its many valuable historical monuments. The most relevant laws and regulations include:
The Act on Environmental Protection on Svalbard, 2001 (the Svalbard Environmental Act)
The Regulation regarding Traffic with Motorised Vehicles in the Terrain and regarding Use of Aircrafts for Tourism Purposes, 2002 (the Motorised Traffic Regulation)
The Regulation regarding Camping, 2001 (the Camping Regulation)
The Regulation regarding Tourism and other Travel Related Activities on Svalbard, 1991 (the Tourist Regulation)
Regulations regarding the various protected areas on Svalbard
The Regulation regarding Local Regulation of Hunting of Svalbard Grouse and Svalbard Reindeer on Svalbard, 2003
The Regulation regarding Harvesting on Svalbard, 2002 (the Harvesting Regulation)
The Regulation regarding Environmental Poisons, Waste and Fees for Discharge and Waste on Svalbard, 2002 (the Pollution Regulation)
Protected areas
Close to 65% of the surface of Svalbard consists of protected areas, including 3 nature reserves, 6 national parks, 15 bird sanctuaries and 1 geotopical protected area. The nature of the regulations for these areas vary to some extent, and are somewhat stricter than the regulations in the Svalbard Environmental Act, which apply to the entire archipelago.
Flora
All vegetation in the designated sanctuaries is protected. By all means take plenty of pictures of Svalbard’s colourful flora, but under no circumstances you should pick or destroy any of them.
Animals and birds
Animals and birds are specially adapted to the challenging Arctic living conditions. All animals on Svalbard are protected. Hunting, trapping, injuring, killing or in any way disturbing protected animals, including birds, is strictly prohibited. Also eggs, nests and dens are protected. Never touch a dead animal, as rabies has been detected in wild animals on Svalbard.All birds are protected during the nesting season, and you must not disturb them unnecessarily, for example, by climbing in nesting areas. Nor may you collect eggs or down without a special permit.
Historical sites
All historical sites originating from 1945 or earlier are protected. This applies both to fixed sites such as old building foundations, graves, standing buildings and any other type of fixed facility, as well as any movable historical artefacts. The following are also protected regardless of age:
- human graves or indicators of gravesites such as crosses and bones from humans lying in areas outside their original burial sites
- skeletal remains at slaughtering sites for walrus and other animals, and in connection with polar bear traps
The protection of fixed historical sites includes an area encompassing 100 metres in every direction from the site. Within this protected area it is not permitted to pitch camp, erect tents or burn fires on ground covered by vegetation.
The regulation concerning the cultural heritage on Svalbard specifies:
- protected historical artefacts must not be removed from the place where they are found; if there is reason to believe that the site is not previously known, then the Governor of Svalbard shall be notified.
- protected historical artefacts may not be removed from Svalbard
Tourism and travel
All visits to Svalbard are subject to strict regulations regarding the protection of nature and historical sites, as well as ensuring the safety of the visitors. Strict rules apply to tour operators, tour organisers and tourist vessels, for example, that tour organisers are fully responsible for their customers’ safety. The organisers are also responsible for ensuring that the travellers are informed about all relevant rules and regulations. The tour organiser must inform the Governor of Svalbard of all tour plans well ahead of the start of the season, as well as present proof of insurance to cover any search and rescue operations should the need arise.
If you are going out for a trip alone and plan to go beyond Administrative Sector 10 (the central parts of Spitsbergen), you must report your planned trip to the Governor of Svalbard. The obligation to report applies to all trips both on land and on sea, and such reports shall be made on specific forms. Make sure you contact the Governor of Svalbard a long time in advance. You will also be required to take out a search and rescue insurance or provide a guarantee for the same in connection with such a trip.
The environmental protection legislation contains certain restrictions for traffic within Svalbard. Among other things, the use of motorised vehicles on bare grounds is prohibited, and the use of scooters is only permitted in certain areas. All traffic in the bird sanctuaries and in some other protected areas is regulated or prohibited. Special rules apply to camping. Please familiarise yourself with the environmental legislation of Svalbard, especially prior to setting out on a trip by yourself.
Svalbard is an Arctic pearl. The nature, landscape and historical sites must be preserved and protected by everyone. With this in mind, we encourage all visitors to ”TAKE CARE OF SVALBARD”.
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