The state budget will be presented on Wednesday and now the Swedish Tourist Association is publishing an open letter to the Minister of the Environment to increase the nature budget. A total of 64,711 people have signed the open letter protesting the halving of the budget for the management of nature reserves and national parks that was implemented at the turn of the year.
In the latest budget, the government made significant cuts to the management and protection of nature reserves and national parks. This means that the county administrative boards responsible for many windbreaks, hiking trails, toilets and barbecue areas do not have the money to maintain them and in the long term some may have to be closed.
– When more people find their way out into nature, the outdoor recreation budget needs to be increased, not reduced. If the government continues on its current path, we risk serious long-term consequences for both nature and people, says Maria Ros Hjelm, Secretary General of the Swedish Tourist Association.
On September 20, the government will present its budget for 2024. In advance of that, STF is now publishing an open letter that has been digitally signed in recent weeks.
– The fact that over 64,700 people have signed our letter to the Minister of the Environment shows how many are concerned that nature reserves and national parks cannot be managed with a budget halved, says Maria Ros Hjelm.
The government has announced that the budget item for the protection of valuable nature (1:14) will be increased for 2024, but when it comes to measures/management of valuable nature (1:3), no information has been given yet, other than the Minister of the Environment saying in interviews that the allocation will be "reasonable" going forward.
Open letter to the Minister of the Environment: Stop the cuts in nature
In the latest budget, the government made significant cuts to the maintenance and protection of nature reserves and national parks. This means that windbreaks, hiking trails, toilets and barbecue areas cannot be maintained and may eventually have to be closed. There is also no money to inform about the right of public access or to start municipal nature conservation projects this year.
STF and the 64,711 who have signed our appeal to stop the cuts in nature cannot accept that neglected trails are not upgraded or that rest shelters are not renovated at the same time as interest in hiking and nature stays is increasing.
You have said in interviews that the management money should be restored to 2019 and 2020 levels, but that still means almost a halving from 2022, while the amount of protected nature has increased, more visitors are seeking out nature, and inflation has risen sharply. Higher funding is simply needed today if parts of nature reserves and national parks are not to have to be closed to visitors in the future.
The government says that you protect both nature and outdoor life. We want you to not only say that but also show it in the autumn budget. When more people find their way out into nature, the outdoor budget needs to be increased. Otherwise, we risk serious long-term consequences for both nature and people.
Hope for an increased budget for nature and outdoor activities!
The Swedish Tourist Association with 64,711 individuals who stand behind this appeal
According to the Press Release-
