The Serra da Estrela Natural Park (PNSE) is the highest mountain range in mainland Portugal, the largest protected area in the country, being also part of the EU's Natura 2000 network of protected areas.
Forest fires frequently affect it, with vast areas burned in 2017 and 2022 – around 44,000 hectares.
But the park’s €11 million co-management plan for 2024-2027, approved yesterday evening (12 November), allocates just €25,000 for reforestation. Local NGO ASE described the sum as a “pittance.” Reforestation efforts will depend upon volunteers rather than paid professionals.
In contrast, €6.5 million will be earmarked to build new interpretative centres, and restore existing ones.
“Continuing in this path will lead to a park full of interpretative centres with nothing left to interpret,” ASE’s President José Saraiva told Euractiv’s Bárbara Machado.
