After a ‘wild camp’ image of several tents in Pico Ruivo, that even motivated action by the Forest Police, flooded the internet last week, another photograph released today, shows another camp blatantly disrespecting Madeira’s natural heritage. The photos released this week were from a campsite in Fanal.
The new images, shared among guides, drivers, and other tourism professionals, generated indignation, with many feeling that the ‘new’ tourists are a burden, not a blessing, as they come with the intention of spending as little money as possible, and to avoid hotel costs are living in their cars overnight.
Many tourism representatives are dismayed, especially in this case, for they believe that the areas being used are fragile, especially in the case of Fanal, where photographs show a clothesline suspended between two centuries-old trees. Furthermore, complained tour reps, they leave rubbish wherever they go.
Although camping is allowed in Fanal, there are regulations, and a license has to be obtained from the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation (IFCN).
Forest Police will act!
Given this, local newspaper, JM, contacted the President of the IFCN, Manuel Filipe, who confirmed that he was already aware of the situation. In this context, a team of the Forest Police was sent to the site to remove the clothesline and find out whether the campers had a license or not! Moreover, the campers will be interviewed, as camping requires good forest space practices that do not negatively impact Madeira’s flora and fauna.
Responding to the photographs in question, Manuel Filipe, uttered:
“You can’t camp like that, tying ropes to ancient and protected trees and drying clothes. The locations and rules of camping are defined, and there are certain practices, like the ones we are seeing that are not allowed.”
Manuel Filipe takes the opportunity to sensitise all those who wish to camp in the Madeiran mountains categorically stating that you cannot camp without a license, and you can not light a bonfire during the camping period, due to the danger of forest fires and in this case, the decimation of a unique, protected and prehistoric forest.
More information about camping activities in forested areas can be obtained at https://ifcn.madeira.gov.pt/atividades-de-natureza/acampamentos/acampamentos.html
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
Photo: JM
