The estate of Dynjandi by Arnarfjörður to the Icelandic state, by RARIK- Iceland State Electricity. The donation was made on the occasion of the Republic of Iceland’s 75th anniversary and the official delivery was made yesterday, on the Day of Icelandic Nature. RARIK ltd is a corporation owned by the government. Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson accepted the donation on the government’s behalf.
The estate contains the waterfall Dynjandi, as well as other waterfalls in the Dynjandi river. Dynjandi is among the country’s highest waterfall, almost 100 m high and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Westfjords.
On the occasion of the donation, Guðmundur Ingi and Birkir Jón Jónsson, Chairman of the board of RARIK signed an agreement to ensure the area’s protection. Dynjandi and the other waterfalls in the river were made a conservation area in 1981 but the government intends to extend that conservation to the whole of the estate.
“RARIK generous donation to the nation creates a unique opportunity to connect the estate to the conservation area in Vatnsfjörður and to create great value for the south part of the Westfjords,” said Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson on the occasion. “The nature of the area will be appreciated and its attractiveness to tourists increased. Research shows that it is economically efficient to protect nature and that the majority of people visiting the country, come for the nature.”
The Dynjandi estate is abandoned today but has a long history of habitation and archaeological finds in the area have a historical and cultural value. The area has been made more accessible in the past few years, a parking area was opened in 2018 and new bathroom facilities were opened yesterday. Improvements to walking paths and observation platforms are also planned.
