The ‘Composite Movement’ was in Paul da Serra, where they found what they call the “shameful neglect of the environment and nature of Madeira.”
Accompanying the “denunciation” from a set of videos and photographs, the Movement gives an account of the destruction of centenary trees in Fanal, also pointing out how several other endemic plants are being destroyed by humans, in addition to the suffering caused by the plastic they were encased in several years ago. This, they say, has been on too long and has atrophied their natural growth.
They further add that this is simply an addition to the new “open-air bathroom,” which is said to have become Rabaçal.
Marta Sofia questions the management of the funds that have been collected from the Classified Walking Routes, money that, she understands, should be used to hire more human resources, to preserve the island’s very delicate natural beauty, control access, inspect and clean areas to ensure their conservation and safety.
She further states there is a demand for ‘dry toilets’ on many of the walking routes and forest leisure areas. She goes on to demand that polices aimed at controlling the number of tourists be introduced to ensure that places like Fanal have a chance of surviving the next ten years, let alone a hundred.
In the videos circulating on social media, images show broken trees in Fanal and disgusting bathrooms in Rabaçal.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
Photo: DN
