More than 200 people of all nationalities gathered at the car park of Praia Grande in Silves last Saturday to protest against a large scale tourist development for the area, which threatens to destroy the Lagoa dos Salgados’ eco-system and its wildlife.
Members of the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA) attended the protest and raised awareness about the importance of leaving the naturally rich area untouched and called on the government to halt yet another tourist project destined for failure – citing the example of the neighbouring CS Salgados resort and golf course, on the eastern banks of the lagoon, which has gone bankrupt and now stands empty and neglected.
The ‘Save Salgados’ petition, initiated by Algarve resident Frank McClintock, who was also present at the protest, has already collected close to 18,000 signatures, but more are needed before it is handed over to Parliament next month.
Meanwhile, the voices of protestors fighting to save Salgados have not fallen on deaf ears in Lisbon as the government has recently confirmed that an Environmental Impact Assessment of the project was important, even if not mandatory.
The Praia Grande project by Finalgarve (part of the Galilei Group) includes three hotels, five holiday villages, shopping complexes and an 18-hole golf course.
