The free districts and various biotopes of national and regional importance in the Upper Val de Bagnes are considered Swiss protected areas.
Federal free hunting districts have existed since 1875 to allow game to regenerate and to maintain a healthy population, especially of ungulates. The regulations of the hunting law are also aimed at hikers and other users of the area. The free-range districts have the task of protecting species such as capercaillie, black grouse and ptarmigan, as well as their habitats. They are ideal areas for observing the evolution of wild populations, whose excess numbers can be regulated by hunters.
