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THEN AND NOW

Calais’ notorious ‘Jungle’ migrant camp is now a lush nature reserve after Britain-bound migrants were ordered to leave the crime-ravaged tent city

More than 10,000 exiles from Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq and other countries once lived in the cramped and sprawling shantytowns in north-east France

INCREDIBLE photos capture how a vast patch of land where the notorious Calais "Jungle" migrant camp once stood has been transformed into a beautiful nature reserve.

More than 10,000 exiles from Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq and other countries once lived in the cramped and sprawling shantytowns in north-east France.

More than 10,000 migrants were crammed into the Jungle at the peak of its population
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More than 10,000 migrants were crammed into the Jungle at the peak of its populationCredit: Getty Images - Getty

The Calais "Jungle" became the centre of the international migrant crisis until it was shut down and demolished in October 2016.

Thousands of migrants, including many young kids, desperately headed for the UK but those families have since sought refuge in other areas in northern France.

The previous site has been turned into the spectacular Fort Vert Nature Reserve, home to migrating birds, beautiful wildflowers and rare plants.

And new photos highlight the huge transformation Calais has seen in less than two years.

Police officers stand outside the notorious Jungle camp as migrants prepare to leave in October 2016
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Police officers stand outside the notorious Jungle camp as migrants prepare to leave in October 2016Credit: Getty Images - Getty
The same entrance to the infamous Calais Jungle migrant camp is surrounded by sand dunes and plants
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The same entrance to the infamous Calais Jungle migrant camp is surrounded by sand dunes and plantsCredit: Getty Images - Getty
The lush nature reserve now houses birds and rare plants
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The lush nature reserve now houses birds and rare plantsCredit: Getty Images - Getty
The exiles were forced to leave the camp when authorities in France had it razed to the ground
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The exiles were forced to leave the camp when authorities in France had it razed to the groundCredit: Getty Images - Getty
The local authority has built bird-spotting hides and observations in Fort Vert Nature Reserve
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The local authority has built bird-spotting hides and observations in Fort Vert Nature ReserveCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Police stand guard outside the notorious camp in 2016
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Police stand guard outside the notorious camp in 2016Credit: Getty Images - Getty
The new wildlife park is advertised as 'an ecological and landscaping reconquest'
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The new wildlife park is advertised as 'an ecological and landscaping reconquest'Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Migrants walk past security fencing in the 'Jungle'
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Migrants walk past security fencing in the 'Jungle'Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Some of the bird-spotting hides now in the camps place have been built on Second World War bunkers
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Some of the bird-spotting hides now in the camps place have been built on Second World War bunkersCredit: Getty Images - Getty

In January 2015, migrants from multiple countries had reached Calais in desperate bids to gain access to the UK by stowing away in lorries, ferries and cars, via the Port of Calais or by the Eurotunnel.

But the population grew and grew during the peak of the European migrant crisis in 2015.

By November that year, more than 6,000 migrants were squatting in abandoned buildings and tents.

A staggering 6,427 migrants were found sneaking across the English Channel between April and October 2015 after entering the UK on the back of a lorry.

But in September 2016, French authorities promised to tear down the site and move the inhabitants to other areas, including Paris, Marseille and Lyon.

Homes, restaurants and other business were set on fire when the camp was destroyed
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Homes, restaurants and other business were set on fire when the camp was destroyedCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Now the authorities want to promote the growth of 'beautiful flora such as orchids, and the presence of birds, like snipes and sand martins' on the site
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Now the authorities want to promote the growth of 'beautiful flora such as orchids, and the presence of birds, like snipes and sand martins' on the siteCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Migrants, many of whom were children, waited in the debris-strewn camp to go to the UK
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Migrants, many of whom were children, waited in the debris-strewn camp to go to the UKCredit: Getty Images - Getty
The debris has now gone and, in its place, are beautiful landscapes rich in wildlife
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The debris has now gone and, in its place, are beautiful landscapes rich in wildlifeCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Large parts of the Calais 'Jungle' migrant camp are cleared by contractors
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Large parts of the Calais 'Jungle' migrant camp are cleared by contractorsCredit: Getty Images - Getty
The wildlife project area covers an area of 30 hectacres
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The wildlife project area covers an area of 30 hectacresCredit: Getty Images - Getty
The migrant camp in northern France was a dangerous, hostile place at times
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The migrant camp in northern France was a dangerous, hostile place at timesCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Tourists are now invited to the picturesque nature reserve
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Tourists are now invited to the picturesque nature reserveCredit: Getty Images - Getty

When the camp was demolished in October 2016, groups of up to 100 migrants - including young children - started to flood the UK.

Three coaches arrived at Croydon, South London but were shielded by a 15ft wall.

Some migrants were sent to Alpine holiday resorts, Sun Online found.

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