The Ministry of the Environment is to issue a penalty of up to €5 million on those responsible for stripping bare an estimated 30 hectares of protected landscape at Cacela Velha, Vila Real de Santo António.
The reason for the destruction still is not known but the Ministry of the Environment now has stated that it had not authorised any such clearance work and that the devastation is an environmental crime.
The land is privately owned, is classified as Agricultural Reserve (RAN) and Ecological Reserve (REN) and is in the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Olive, carob and fig trees have been destroyed in addition to ground cover habitat.
The Jornal de Baixa Guadiana always claimed that the work was illegal but points out that the 24 hour time delay, between reporting the illegal activity and it being halted, allowed further wanton destruction.
The Ministry for the Environment finally has responded to calls from various environmental associations, stating that it, "also will require the perpetrators to take measures to restore site to its original condition," which technically is impossible but worth adding to the fine.
According to the ministry, the bulldozing of trees and ground cover, "has caused significant environmental damage, extending to surrounding areas, increasing the erosion process in cliffs and water lines and creating instability and destruction of natural systems," as well as having affected "substantially and negatively" plant species and fauna.
The Ministry denies the work was ever authorised but the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF) was said to have given permission for the work under Decree-Law 124, which regulates the compulsory cleaning of land for fire prevention purposes.
Célia Ramos, Secretary of State for Planning and Conservation of Nature, dismissed the argument that fire breaks were being made.
On July 5th, the GNR’s environmental protection division, SEPNA, explained to environmental groups that the land cleaning had been authorised by the ICNF, but was prompted to organise a second inspection which resulted in the suspension of work as it had exceeded an authorised boundary and trees were missing.
The person who carried out the work, presumably the landowner, faces a stiff fine for destroying mature trees and habitat on protected land within the Ria Formosa Natural Park.
