The Park was affected by a forest fire in October 2018, which consumed nearly 500 hectares.


The creation of a ZIF will be essential to establish new development and restore some of the biodiversity that existed there.


Luís Capão, chairman of the municipal company, Cascais Ambiente, told Lusa that most of the land in the Park belongs to private individuals - the council wants to involve them in the project.


A ZIF will allow the various owners to be brought together so that their voices can be heard. Bringing them all under one umbrella will help the project to get community funds.


Before taking this step, the Council will present its 20-year Landscape Plan for the Park, in which it intends to identify land uses and functions, organise access and rules for land use, create local protection measures and monitor fauna and flora.


The protected area will become more resilient, ensuring greater security for local communities and visitors and facilitating surveillance and firefighting.