Who created this protected area?

Sarek National Park was designated as a National Park by the Swedish Parliament in 1910 (National Park Facts, History, 2025). Sweden was the first European country to establish national parks (Sveriges National Parker, n.d.). When it did, it established nine, one of which was Sarek (Sveriges National Parker, n.d.).

Sarek along with the eight other national parks were created in part because of the United States (Sveriges National Parker, n.d.). After the creation of Yellowstone, polar explorer Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld suggested that a similar form of protection should be introduced to Sweden (Sveriges National Parker, n.d.).

Who manages this protected area?

Sarek National Park is managed by Laponiatjuottjudus which is a local administrative organization (Laponia, 2023). The board of Laponiatjuottjudus is made up of the Sami communities, The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, the County Administrative Board in Norrbotten County and the municipalities of Jokkmokk and Gällivare (Laponia, 2023).

Who funds the management of this protected area?

In Sweden the funding of what is called Green Infrastructure comes from a few different places. The EU provides some funding for projects, funds also come from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, the County Administrative Boards and different foundations for management of national parks and other protected areas (BISE, n.d.).

Who was living on or using these lands before it became a protected area?

Before Sarek was designated as a National Park it was inhabited by the Sami people (National Park Facts, History, 2025). The Sami have lived in this area since time immemorial (National Park Facts, History, 2025).

Who lives on or uses these lands, if anyone, today?

Even now that Sarek is a National park the Sami people are still allowed to use the land for themselves and their animals. There is a stipulation however, the Sami are not allowed to hunt for elk in the park anymore. (National Park Facts, History, 2025).
Photo:

Ökologix. (2011). A Sami home near Pårek [Photo]. In Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16527521

Gabrielwennstig . (2019). View over the Sarvesvagge valley in Sarek national park, in the far north of Sweden. [Photo]. In Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sarvesvagge_Sarek_national_park_Sweden.jpg