The candidate of Juntos Pelo Povo (JPP) for the leadership of the Municipality of Calheta defended, today, a specific plan to preserve the authenticity of the Rabaçal area, protect endemic species, and take care of the safety of residents and visitors to the island.
Basílio Santos says that the organisation of the space should move forward with “urgency” and reflect the concerns and obligations, both of the Regional Government and the City Council, in terms of the management of protected areas subject to enormous tourist pressure that has grown without environmental awareness planning.
The candidate proposes the rehabilitation of the entrance to Rabaçal, without the movement of cars, with a green area of endemic plants and a space for the reception of tourists. A ticketing system to control entrances, but with free movement for residents in Madeira. While car parks should only be built in peripheral areas.
Basílio Santos recalls that the number of current visitors ranges from 500 to 1,500 per day. According to forecast data, we may be talking about a revenue that can reach 2 million euros/year, funds that have to stay in the municipality’s coffers and not in the pockets of private individuals, a position that leads the JPP candidate to reveal himself against the transfer of the island’s levada routes to private companies.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
