In a devastating blow to conservation, Norway’s Parliament has officially removed protections from over 390 rivers, opening them up to hydropower development. Once safeguarded under the Protection Plan for Watercourses, these waterways were some of the last truly wild and free-flowing rivers in Europe. Now, they face the threat of dams, diversions, and destruction. For the paddling community, this is a historic loss. Norway’s rivers are legendary, attracting kayakers from around the world to experience their untamed whitewater, pristine landscapes, and deep connection to nature. These waters are not just playgrounds; they are ecosystems, lifelines for fish and wildlife, and home to indigenous Sámi communities who have depended on them for generations. The government rushed this decision through, removing 50 years of protection in just over one week, with no…
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Kayak Session (Digital) - 1 Issue, Spring 2025