Vindelälven-Juhttátahkka Biosphere Reserve

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, inscribed 2019, in Sweden. Straddling the Arctic Circle, the Vindelälven–Juhttátahkka Biosphere Reserve includes large parts of the Vindelfjällen nature reserve, one of the largest in Europe. The northern part of the biosphere reserve is mountainous, forests cover its central part, while the south is a coastal area. The area is home to two distinct cultural communities, Swedish and Sami, with rich cultural traditions. Activities in the biosphere reserve include mining, forestry and reindeer husbandry, which enjoys official protection as a traditional activity of public interest. The Sami Parliament is officially responsible for ensuring that Sami interests are defended in spatial planning. Samernas Riksförbund (SSR), the National Federation of Swedish Sami people, works more directly to support “samebys” on planning issues. The Sami Parliament has also drawn up an action plan for Sami livelihoods and culture to address climate change.