The President of the Regional Government, Miguel Albuquerque, will tomorrow attend Vigilante da Natureza Day, which takes place at 12:00 in the Jardins da Madalena, in Santo António.
On the occasion, four commendations and four merits will be awarded to Vigilantes da Natureza officers as well as new equipment, which includes two new 4×4 vehicles, wet suits, SIRESP and VHF radios and a camera, costing in the region of 59 thousand euros.
The Vigilantes da Natureza, is an auxiliary police service supervised by the Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Change and currently comprises of 35 officers.
The first Guard Statute dates from 1993, and guards ensure a permanent surveillance (365 days/year) in both the archipelago’s marine and terrestrial protected areas.
Their inspection, surveillance and conservation support activities include: the guarantor of Portugal’s sovereignty in the Selvagens Islands; conservation and surveillance of the Laurissilva forest, a World Natural Heritage Site; the success of monitoring and conservation projects for endangered species, such as the monk seal, the Madeiran, howler monkeys and the desert tarantula; support for research work; raising awareness of good environmental practices and safeguarding biodiversity and geodiversity; participation in the prevention and detection of forest and rural fires.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
