The recent floods that have blighted the Algarve are proof that the Lagoa wetland must be protected, said PAN Algarve – the regional branch of political party PAN (People, Animals, Nature) – using the opportunity to promote the ‘Save Alagoas Brancas’ petition.
Said Saúl Rosa, spokesperson for PAN Algarve: “We must put an end to any possible urban construction in that area.
“To understand just how important it is to protect our natural heritage, we need to consider the recent floods in the Algarve, which were the result of human activities that have led to ecosystem changes, making the frequency of rain events more unpredictable,” he said.
The spokesperson also said that bouts of heavy rain are becoming “more and more catastrophic” and pose risks to the “survival of fauna and flora”, as well as local populations.
PAN Algarve is hoping the recent floods – which caused considerable damages to downtown businesses in Faro – will help show the importance of protecting natural spaces such as Alagoas Brancas.
“Thus, we are asking the people of the Algarve, and of Portugal, to take 20 seconds of their time to sign the petition and help stop this illogical destruction which will have intergenerational consequences,” the statement says.
“If municipalities are expected to find solutions to address periods of drought and flooding, then we cannot continue destroying wetland areas which are natural solutions to these problems,” it adds.
