Members of Peniche municipal council are described today as ‘divided’ over the government’s intention to transform the Fort of São João Batista, on the island of Berlengas, into an environmental visitor centre. The reality is that they are miffed: “feeling excluded from the process”, says Lusa. At a public meeting of the municipal executive, independent mayor Henrique Bertino and councillors Ângelo Marques (PS) and Clara Abrantes (CDU) have criticised the ministry for environment for not having informed the municipality or the Berlengas Nature Reserve co-management committee of its intentions. “I am really surprised by the minister’s order, because it represents a lack of respect for these bodies and because she decides what these bodies should do without talking to anyone,” Henrique Bertino explained.
Peniche council miffed about government’s announcement over Berlengas island nature reserve
Image of the island from Hugo Cadavez/ Wikipédia
