Responsible tourism in Sweden

Ingrid Inga of the Sami Parliament (established in 1993) argues that the Sami should have the right to make decisions about their own affairs and not just have the responsibility for the reindeer industry alone. "We want reforms that give us powers over areas that affect us - language, education, land use and so on. We need this so that the parliament becomes a real decision making body and not just the state agency which we are at the moment."

While this sounds fair and just, the Parliament itself is arguably unrepresentative. More than half the parliamentary seats are held by reindeer herders, even though they just represent between 5-10 percent of the community. Land-related disputes predominate debates, ignoring the concerns of nearly 90 percent of Sami who lack the land rights linked specifically to herding.

What you can do:
Try to ensure that any Sami tourist activities you take part in benefit as wide a range of the community as possible. Speak to the Sami – your guides, the herders you visit – to learn more about the issues they are facing.

Far more controversial is the shooting of wolves, which were hunted to near extinction in Sweden until a ban was imposed in the 1970s. As the population grew to around 200, the ban was lifted again in 2010, and arguments rage between pro-culling authorities and organisations like the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation which say the Swedish wolf population can grow further while remaining at a healthy and sustainable level. But without independent scientific research to back the culling lobby's position, the idea that 200 wolves is too large a number for Sweden's vast wilderness seems highly dubious.
 
However far numbers have come back, the wolf remains a threatened species here. Government-set figures are not backed up by independent research, casting doubt on culling quotas. And hunting wolves also fails to take into account their crucial role as top predators in the Swedish eco-system, and the benefits they bring. Finally, from a tourism point of view, pro-culling debates ignore or seriously downplay the huge growing potential of wildlife tourism both in the preservation of habitats and in providing important benefits for rural communities both in financial terms and with regard to engagement with their environment.

Unlike their neighbours in Norway, at least the Swedes should get credit for at least trying to act with some ethical guidelines – even if you disagree with the practice of culling as a whole. Strictly controlled wolf hunts are limited to January and February (before the breeding season). Hunters are required to report every wolf kill immediately by radio, with the quota checked for the whole region every hour. And the cull is supported by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency – though, of course, a government-funded agency may not be likely to oppose government policy. But at least all the above suggests the Swedes aren't just bloodthirsty hunters, whatever you think of wider issues.

But Sweden is also tackling wildlife conflict issues with foresight, compassion and practical measures. The research station at Grimsö, deep within the Bergslagen forests, uses radio tracking to learn more about the movement and behaviour of predator populations – including wolf and lynx – to help develop viable plans for their future conservation – while also gaining vital evidence to put before locals who may feel less positive about the presence of such animals in their area. A recent initiative has seen the introduction of special fencing, similar to an electric fence, which has proved extremely effective in reducing livestock predation - and reducing anger from farmers.

What you can do:
Support tourist initiatives revolving around enjoying seeing wolves in the wild.