A biosphere reserve is an area where nature is preserved while promoting social and economic development. Since 2015, various actors along the Vindel River have worked with the candidature and today the decision was taken by the UN agency for Culture, Science and Education in Paris. Voxnadalen in Gävleborg County will also become a biosphere reserve.

- The responsibility of local communities and the active participation of people are successful recipes for the conservation and sustainable use of natural and cultural resources. The fact that Unesco is now appointing two new Swedish biosphere reserves is a recognition of the years of local work and commitment that many people have put in to strengthen sustainable local and regional development, says Environment and Climate Minister Isabella Lövin in a press release.

Unique and rich cultural heritage

Vindelälven-Juhtatdahka is one of the world's largest surface biosphere reserves with 1.3 million hectares. It will probably also be one of the northernmost in the world.

34 percent of the nature in the area is protected and, besides a lot of natural resources, also has a great biodiversity.