Several campers at Þingvellir national park have been reported to the police for ripping up large amounts of moss in order to insulate their tents better.
Their action left many open scars on the landscape and the tourists are reported to be very sorry; saying they thought their actions were permitted. It could take years for the moss to recover, RÚV reports.
The national park drew attention to the incident on its Facebook page, including pictures of the tents which clearly show how the moss was piled up around the tourists’ tents.
The national park’s statement says that rangers spent a long time trying to cover over some of the scars back up with moss—which was a partial success.
Guests are reminded of the old tourists’ mantra to “take only photos and leave only footprints.”
