A triangle for all? : A study of the impact of tourism on the freedom to roam andproposals for an implementation of Nature's Rights in the Jämtland Triangle and Sweden
Year: 2024
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This study examined the new land allocations by the Swedish Tourist Association in the hiking area in Jämtland, implemented at the turn of 2023. The study was based on the principles of “allemansrätten” (the freedom to roam) and the rights of nature, linked to the limitations this agreement entailed. The study also illuminates how the Sami around the Jämtland Triangle are affected by the new land allocations. It employed a one method research, consisting of a quantitative survey. The purpose of this study was to analyze the new land allocations at the Jämtland Triangle and the respondents' views on them, as well as their opinions on the rights of nature and a potential change to the right of public access in Sweden. These opinions have been analyzed and discussed with a particular focus on the Jämtland Triangle. The theories of Sumak Kawsay and ecocentrism were used to challenge the anthropocentric way of life prevalent in the Western world. If the rights of nature were implemented in Sweden, they could complement the current, albeit insufficient, rights of the Sami people. In the Jämtland area, the rights of nature could act as a legal entity, supporting both the Sami and nature. The survey results indicated a general lack of knowledge, which is a pervasive issue in behavioral patterns in nature. The survey results partly indicated a general lack of knowledge, which is a consistent problem in the behavior pattern in nature. It also revealed differences of opinion regarding the measures entailed by the land allocation. An unexpected finding of the study was that the segment of respondents who were positive about implementing the rights of nature in Sweden were largely negative towards limiting allemansrätten in environmentally threatened areas.
Authors: Axelsson, Karolina, Östergren, Josephine
Language: Swedish
Topic: Environmental law and policy
Subfield: Law
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7113279597