The Federal Environment Office said on Friday that the requests would be examined and decisions be taken by September to open the new parks next year.
There are already four regional nature parks dotted across the country – covering about 5,800km2.
Regional parks are partly populated rural areas that have both high natural and cultural values.
One of the key condition for the label, which comes with financial government subsidies, is the support of the local population for a park project.
Moves are also underway for the establishment of a second national park, which is subject to stricter rules, besides the one in the Engadine Valley which was founded nearly 100 years ago.
The authorities aim for parkland to eventually cover 18 per cent of the Swiss territory.
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Scenic Zügen seeks nature park protection
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The park is petitioning the government for the nature park label and has been an officially recognised candidate since 2008. Park management must supply the government with its designated borders by October 2010. A regional nature park is an extensive, partly populated rural area, with buildings and installations that fit harmoniously into the landscape and…
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In the last two years, the total area of the country being set aside as parkland has jumped from 0.4 to 14 per cent (5,750km2). The figure could rise to 20 per cent. The explosive growth is the result of a new law governing the establishment and operation of parks, the Nature and Cultural Heritage…
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The Valais area in the southwest of the country is famous for mountains such as the Matterhorn, but the Pfynwald – or Pfyn forest – in the Rhone valley is scarcely known outside its immediate area, even though it is full of interest and considerably easier to explore. That is now changing, thanks to a…
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The Swiss National Park and the Unesco biosphere in the Entlebuch were the country’s first nature parks. In 2010 there will be two more protected nature areas. More park projects have been given the green light or are in preparation.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.