The Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation (IFCN) has denounced vandalism in the Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço, where a leisure area has been partially destroyed. The occurrence was identified by a team from the Nature Rangers Corps.
Among the damage recorded is the destruction of a stone bench, as well as the partial destruction of another bench and adjacent walls, and structures that serve everyone who walks along this pedestrian route.
The President of the IFCN, Manuel Filipe, regrets what happened and stresses that this is “an attack on public property, whose main purpose is to provide well-being and conditions for the enjoyment of nature to the population and tourists.” He went on to say that behaviour like this has no place in a society that wants to be civilised and respectful of common spaces.”
The Institute is collaborating with the Public Security Police in an attempt to identify the perpetrators, and an administrative offence process has already been raised, for now, against unknown persons.
Manuel Filipe calls for the collaboration of the community:
“It is essential that any citizen who witnesses situations like this immediately report the facts to the authorities. The protection of our natural spaces is everyone’s responsibility.”
The IFCN reinforces its commitment to the preservation of Madeira’s natural heritage and guarantees that all necessary measures will be taken to restore the affected area and prevent new incidents of this kind from occurring.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
