Association spokes person, Francisco Correia, recalled that there are currently 120 nature vigilantes working at parks in Portugal, which he said is “insufficient” to cover the land and its needs. He said an “urgent reinforcement of people on the ground is needed.”
“I recall that a few months ago the government launched a tender to admit 20 new guards, while the State Budget for this year foresaw at least 50.We’re already halfway through May and nothing has as yet happened”, he argued.
The government has meanwhile pledged that the 20 new professionals will be made available to help guard the country’s natural parks by July.
State Secretary for Land Planning and Nature conservation, Célia Ramos, clarified that the first 20 workers will take up their jobs by July in the areas most lacking in manpower, namely natural parks in the Tagus, Douro, Alentejo and Algarve areas, and the remaining 30 by the end of the year.
Francisco Correia said more awareness-raising campaigns also need to be launched to educate and encourage people to better respect nature.
“Every year we see people destroying and throwing rubbish in the parks. Therefore, we advocate more awareness”, he concluded.
A stance agreed upon by the State Secretary, who although she says “more and more people who do activities in nature parks are friends of nature and the environment”, also defends that “knowledge does not take up space and can never be spread enough.”
In Célia Ramos’ opinion, at the same time that conditions should be created for visits or treks to be enjoyed, people should also be made aware of the need to adopt correct behaviours.
One essential rule, she stressed, is no dumping rubbish, but also to try and avoid doing anything that would have a harmful impact on nature, and, while on the coast, to use the paths defined throughout dune systems, which are one of nature’s most vulnerable ecosystems.
In related news, GNR police last year registered 308 offences committed against natural parks and reserves throughout the country, the vast majority relating to illegal camping, motor-homing and parking.