The Icelandic Environment Association (Landvernd), a non-governmental organisation that focuses on environmental issues, hopes the Icelandic government will purchase the property Fell in Suðursveit in southeast Iceland and place Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon under Vatnajökull National Park.
In March, the district commissioner of South Iceland agreed to allow the property to go up for auction. The property, owned by a number of individuals and companies, includes Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, one of Iceland’s most iconic tourist destinations.
The reason for the auction is that landowners have been unable to come to an agreement on the future of the lagoon, including the construction and operation of new facilities to handle the rapidly growing tourism at the lagoon.
The Icelandic Environment Association wants the government get involved and help preserve Jökulsárlón’s unique fauna.
Jökulsárlón lagoon is located on the edge of Vatnajökull National Park, a short distance from Breiðamerkurjökull outlet glacier. It came into existence around 60 years ago, when Vatnajökull began to retreat due to climate warming. As it did so, it left deep gorges which then filled with meltwater and icebergs.
Updated at 2.40 pm:
The district commissioner of South Iceland decided to cancel Fell’s auction. Instead the property will be sold in an open market by a real estate agency or law firm. Further information on the matter will be released on 25 April, reports the National Broadcasting Service.
The Icelandic Environment Association (Landvernd), a non-governmental organisation that focuses on environmental issues, hopes the Icelandic government will purchase the property Fell in Suðursveit in southeast Iceland and place Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon under Vatnajökull National Park.
In March, the district commissioner of South Iceland agreed to allow the property to go up for auction. The property, owned by a number of individuals and companies, includes Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, one of Iceland’s most iconic tourist destinations.
The reason for the auction is that landowners have been unable to come to an agreement on the future of the lagoon, including the construction and operation of new facilities to handle the rapidly growing tourism at the lagoon.
The Icelandic Environment Association wants the government get involved and help preserve Jökulsárlón’s unique fauna.
Jökulsárlón lagoon is located on the edge of Vatnajökull National Park, a short distance from Breiðamerkurjökull outlet glacier. It came into existence around 60 years ago, when Vatnajökull began to retreat due to climate warming. As it did so, it left deep gorges which then filled with meltwater and icebergs.
Updated at 2.40 pm:
The district commissioner of South Iceland decided to cancel Fell’s auction. Instead the property will be sold in an open market by a real estate agency or law firm. Further information on the matter will be released on 25 April, reports the National Broadcasting Service.
