A Renature Monchique project was launched in the year 2019 for the plantation of trees. This project will again plant 500,000 trees in Monchique as part of reforestation. This project was started by the Spatial and Environmental Planning Study Group (GEOTA).
Plans For Reforestation In Monchique
A beautiful town in Portugal, Monchique is aiming to meet its goal for reforestation in the area. The project was initially started in the year 2019 but it will now plant trees again in the year 2024. This project was started by GEOTA with Ryanair as their partners. The project plans to begin the plantation of trees again this month. The reason for the plantation is the destruction of trees due to the aftereffects of the 2018 fire.
Also Read: Lisbon Protest Against Gaza Genocide Route Ship Docking at Port
In 2018, a fire erupted in Portugal which was later recorded to be the largest fire in Europe for that year. It affected an area of 28,000 hectares of forest and caused a lot of damage to trees. This is why the ‘Renature Monchique Project’ was relaunched on 7 November 2024. The main target for the project this year is to plant 500,000 trees by February 2025. This number can be achieved if the plantation begins at this very exact moment. A member of the GEOTA’s executive committee, Américo Ferreira, expressed his views on this project in the following statement:
This project was born out of the urgent need to restore devastated areas, support the local community in recovering from the destruction caused by the fires, and mitigate the future impacts of climate change. So far, we have managed to plant more than 383,000 trees and support 67 landowners and their families. By planting an additional 125,000 trees and supporting 10 more landowners, we are making a joint and ongoing effort to restore the Serra de Monchique to its ecological and social vitality.
The success of the Renature Monchique Project will mark a new beginning for Portugal. This project will also be able to support the local farmers and landowners by planting trees. The main aim behind the organizers of this project is to establish an ecological system in Portugal.
Ryanair Partners Renature Monchique Project
The project of renaturing Monchique is managed by GEOTA, but Ryanair is the main partner for this project. The airline company had already invested 1.4 million Euros in this project when it started in 2019. Now, the company is looking to invest 400,000 Euros only for the refurbishment of the Serra de Monchique. The Director for Sustainability of Ryanair, Thomas Fowler stated:
We are proud to support the Renature Monchique project, which is taking significant steps to restore the Serra de Monchique. This initiative not only helps to restore a unique and vulnerable landscape but also strengthens the community’s resilience to future environmental challenges. By investing in reforestation, we hope to make a positive and lasting impact in Portugal.
The President of the Algarve Tourism Region, André Gomes has appreciated the efforts behind the Monchique project. He thinks it is exemplary work for the preservation of the Serra de Monchique. This will definitely help the Nature Tourism places within the Algarve. The collaborated support of Ryanair, ICNF, the Municipality of Monchique, and Algarve Tourism is much appreciated. All these organizations are led by GEOTA to keep this project a success.
Mayor Of Monchique Praises The Efforts
Paulo Alves, the Mayor of Monchique, believes that the Renature Monchique project is best suited for the ecological recovery of the affected areas in the 2018 fire. This project also sends a clear message about the importance of conservation of the native species. The Serra de Monchique is an area that has unique regional significance and represents the environmental wealth of the area. The mayor stated:
It [project] directly involves the owners, encouraging a more active and informed management of their properties, which in the medium term will translate into the generation of value in terms of more traditional forestry products, such as cork oak and strawberry tree. But it will also promote the renaturalization of some areas with species of high conservation value, such as the Monchique oak and chestnut tree.
This Renature Monchique project is led by the GEOTA, and it is supported by multiple agencies like Algarve Tourism, Ryanair, Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests. The municipality of Monchique is also supporting this project actively. Many people expect very highly of this project. All efforts are now directed towards the goal of planting 500,000 trees for the reforestation of the Monchique area.
Read More About: Mayor Of Viseu Appeals To Government For New Civil Protection Centre In Viseu
