Ancient Trees at Risk From Grazing
Quercus Madeira has sounded the alarm over the Zona de Repouso e Silêncio do Fanal, a protected part of Madeira’s Laurisilva forest. The group says cattle are eating the tender shoots of centuries-old til (Ocotea foetens) trees, undermining the survival of one of the island’s most treasured natural landscapes.
Cows have no awareness of this valuable heritage, but those leading the Instituto de Florestas e Conservação da Natureza (IFCN) should have it and have the duty to preserve it
..said Elsa Araújo, president of Quercus Madeira, in a public statement. She questioned why the regional government has not acted to stop grazing in the fragile reserve.
Tourism Pressure Leaves Visible Damage
Alongside the threat of grazing, Quercus denounced the impact of uncontrolled tourism on the Fanal forest. Parking areas are overflowing with rental cars and off-road vehicles, while visitors often walk outside defined paths, trampling the soil and disturbing the roots of ancient trees.
It is common to see people climbing on centuries-old trees to take photographs, without any supervision to stop them
Araújo explained that repeated trampling has left parts of the forest bare and compacted, preventing water from seeping into the ground.
Government Measures Called Too Weak
The regional government has recognized the issue of excessive visitation and recommended that tour operators redirect visitors to alternative routes. Quercus, however, argues that this step falls far short of what is needed. Araújo questioned why the IFCN has not set clear limits on the number of visitors allowed in Fanal, as is common in other protected areas worldwide:
Natural spaces that are degraded are also a poor tourist attraction and say a lot about the lack of quality in governance.
Demands for Protection of Madeira’s Natural Heritage
Quercus Madeira is urging the IFCN to fulfill its legal duty to conserve the Laurisilva, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The group is calling for immediate restrictions on both grazing and tourist access in Fanal, warning that without decisive action the forest’s unique ecosystem will continue to deteriorate.
Source: Diário de Notícias Madeira
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