The Secretary of Tourism, Environment and Culture, Eduardo Jesus, rejects that the Regional Government is responsible for irregular camping outside the IFCN spaces. This is the competence of the municipalities, he says.
He further attested that camping is not prohibited in Madeira, it just has rules that have to be fulfilled.
Responding to his comments, the Reuse, Include and Recycle Party (RIR), expressed their concerns relating to statements made by the Regional Secretary for Tourism, Environment and Culture, during the discussion of the Regional Budget for 2025, regarding the problem of unauthorized camping in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.
“The attempt to transfer exclusively to the municipalities the responsibility for the proliferation of illegal camping outside the spaces under IFCN management reveals a posture of political unaccountability on the part of the Regional Government. It is known that most Madeiran municipalities do not have the technical, human, or financial means to face this phenomenon effectively, especially without the coordinated and structured support of the regional administration,” said the party’s coordinator, Liana Reis.
The RIR stresses that “the protection of the territory and the safeguarding of the natural heritage are shared responsibilities, which require cooperation between the Regional Government, municipalities and specialised bodies such as the IFCN. Ignoring this principle contributes to the progressive degradation of Madeira’s natural spaces, many of which are suffering visible impacts due to the absence of supervision and adequate planning.”
Liana continued by saying, “Camping is not prohibited in Madeira, as the governor rightly said, but it has rules that need to be respected and, above all, properly implemented. To this end, it is essential to ensure minimum conditions, namely: properly equipped areas, clear signage, accessible information, and an effective inspection system. None of these measures will be effective if they are not accompanied by a real political and financial commitment within the Regional Budget.
Madeira’s sustainable development requires more than declarations — it requires concerted action, shared responsibility, and forward-thinking investment.”
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
Photo: JM
