Kongernes Nordsjælland

Map of North Zealand showing the sections and extent of the planned national park.

Kongernes Nordsjælland (Royal North Sealand) is the name of a planned national park in the northern region of the island of Zealand, Denmark. The park has been in preparation for many years and is now planned to be inaugurated shortly.^[1]

Description

Kongernes Nordsjælland will cover the forest of Gribskov and the lake of Esrum Sø at its core. Gribskov is one of Denmark's largest forests, with centuries old oak trees, rich fauna and flora, prehistoric sites and opportunities for hiking and cycling. Esrum Sø, the second largest lake in the country, is noted for its clean waters, its recreational facilities and the 12th-century monastery of Esrum Abbey at its northern end. The park will also include the lakes of Arresø and Gurresø, the woodland of Tisvilde Hegn and will comprise a connected cultural and natural landscape of coast, heath, forest and rural areas. Arresø is the largest lake in Denmark by area and Tisvilde Hegn is the oldest plantation in the country. The designated area has a large concentration of historically significant relics spanning the Stone Age to present times. This includes dolmens, tumuli, medieval ruins, castles and royal palaces.^[2][3]

Most of the park is designated as Natura 2000. Several species of deer can be seen throughout the area as well as foxes and badgers. There is also a rich bird life in the woods with buzzards, black woodpeckers, osprey, owls, and white tailed eagles. The heathland attracts greylag geese and lapwings while kingfishers, dippers and common goldeneye ducks can be seen around the lakes.^[3]

Approval

In November 2014, the national broadcasting corporation of Danmarks Radio reported that Kim Valentin, mayor of Gribskov Municipality, believed the national park would soon be approved by the Danish Ministry of the Environment.^[4]

Minister of the Environment Kirsten Brosbøl was handed the proposal for the national park on 12. December 2014. Following the 18 June 2015 elections, Denmark had a new government and the Ministry of the Environment was merged with the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries of Denmark (now Ministry of the Environment and Food). The new minister is Eva Kjer Hansen.^[5][6]

See also

• North Zealand
• Par force hunting landscape in North Zealand

References

1. Mette Rønn Nielsen (26 November 2014). "Efter lang tids arbejde er nationalparkprojektet Kongernes Nordsjælland ved at være på plads" (in Danish). Jyllands-Posten. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
2. Danmarks Nationalparker: Map. Map of the proposed designation as per September 2009.
3. "Kongernes Nordsjælland: Området" (in Danish). Danmarks Narionalparker. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
4. "Nationalpark stort set på plads" (in Danish). Danmarks Radio. 20 November 2014. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
5. "Kongernes Nordsjælland" (in Danish). Danmarks Nationalparker. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
6. "Miljø- og Fødevareministeret" (in Danish). Retrieved 17 July 2015. Official homepage

Sources

• The Parforce Hunting landscape in North Zealand UNESCO
• Danmarks Nationalparker: Publications and maps. Proposals on the extent of Kongernes Nordsjælland. With maps and guides. (Danish)

External links

• Kongernes Nordsjælland National Park travel guide from Wikivoyage
• Danmarks Nationalparker: Tourist in a Danish national park.