Braga City Hall is carrying out an innovative pilot reforestation project on the Falperra slope, with the aim of transforming the forest landscape and increasing the territory’s resilience in the face of fires. The initiative focuses on reconverting forest cover with native species, replacing unmanaged eucalyptus, and aims, simultaneously, to promote biodiversity and enhance the local landscape.
Altino Bessa, Secretary of the Environment, explained that, throughout this year and next, around 10,000 native trees will be planted on 25 hectares of Fuel Management Range (FGC), along approximately 20 kilometers of road network. In the initial phase of the project, around 2 thousand trees have already started to be planted on 2 hectares.
“The Municipality has been developing several initiatives to increase the territory’s resilience to forest fires. This area is of great natural value and one of the most visited spots in the Braga region. The project will reinforce environmental and cultural preservation efforts while creating a safer environment for visitors. Through this intervention, we will create a 20 meter wide corridor”, said Altino Bessa.
The councilor added that, with the aim of expanding the initiative, the Municipality is making trees of indigenous species available to replace eucalyptus on private land, also offering technical support for the implementation of the project.
-In addition to contributing to the region’s greater resistance to fires, the intervention will reduce the maintenance costs of the FGC, through the creation of a vegetation cover that favors shading and slows down the growth of shrub and sub-shrub vegetation. Forest mosaics will also be created to alter the behavior of fire, creating areas more favorable to fighting.
This pilot project is the result of a partnership between Braga City Hall, the Irmandade de Santa Maria Madalena do Monte and the Congregação do Espírito Santo, reinforcing the joint commitment to protecting the region’s natural and cultural heritage.
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