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.
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.
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.
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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