Good news at last for the tiny wetland of Alagoas Brancas under threat of being ‘concreted over’ to make way for “yet another shopping centre”.
MPs have overwhelmingly approved a proposal recommending that the government “takes all measures to defend and safeguard” the natural haven in Lagoa, “prohibiting its destruction”.
The Bloco de Esquerda “projeto de resolução” is being hailed by conservationists as “another step on the right path”, to ensure the birding haven remains where it is.
BE MP João Vasconcelos – the Algarve MP who seems to ‘be everywhere’ when it comes to burning causes – says the news shows that “it is always worth fighting. Congratulations to all those who fight and don’t give up”, he wrote last night on Facebook.
But as the Salvar as Alagoas Brancas campaign page stresses the news centres only on recommendations.
“We have to hope now for news of what will happen next”, says the group. “It is another step on the right path for saving Alagoas Brancas and all the other Algarve wetland areas” but victory is not yet ‘in the bag’ – particularly as the land has been earmarked for development in the municipal plan.
This is a fight that many felt to be hopeless until João Vasconcelos came on board and helped turn things round.
BE’s “projeto de resolução” stressed not only the fact that concreting over the wetland could lead to flooding – as wetlands “act as a sponge” – but that yet another hypermarket will not be any kind of asset to the area.
The proposal stresses the need now for the ICNF (institute for nature and forestry conservation) to draw up the detailed study that everyone battling to save Alagoas Brancas wants, and which the Ministry of the Environment “has promised”.
A previous ICNF study has been labelled “wholly misleading” as well as “deeply inadequate” (click here).
natasha.donn@algarveresident.com
Photo: Black winged Silt – Perna-longa (Himantopus Himantopus). / Photo: Carl Hawker
