The Dwingelderveld is a special ‘quiet area’
Drenthe is already a hugely popular place for nature-lovers, photographers, and fans of the night sky. The news, then, that the Dwingelderveld (just north of Hoogeveen) nature park is the quietest in the Netherlands will do nothing to dampen Drenthe’s allure.
The Dutch Sound Nuisance Foundation (NSG) announced the award this morning in the Dwingelderveld visitor center in Ruinen, RTV Drenthe reports. The vote was held in connection with the 50th anniversary of the foundation, and to coincide with National Noise Pollution Day.
Other competitors in the quiet stakes were the Asbroekheide in Limburg, and Haaksbergerveen in Overijssel.
Each province was asked to provide sound and visual material for the competition, which was assessed by Arjan Postma (a TV forester), Ursula Jernberg (photographer and ‘imagineer’ of the quietest place on earth), Kester Freriks (writer); and Irene van Kamp (RIVM, Center for Environmental Health Research).
Quiet areas do not just arise, says the Province of Drenthe. It is the task of all provinces to create sanctuaries and to maintain peace and quiet there. In Drenthe, there are 12 such quiet areas. These are the Leekstermeer, the Fochteloërveen, the Drentsche Aa 1 and the Drentsche Aa 2; the Elperstroom, the Orvelterzand, the Hijkerveld, the Vledder- and Wapserveensche Aa; the Oosterzand, the Dwingozeche Heide, the Mars- and Westerstroom, and the Amsterdamsche Field.
Image via the Province of Drenthe
