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The Association of Guardians of the Serra da Estrela responded to the “urgent needs of the herding communities”, due to the fire that hit the Serra da Estrela Natural Park (PNSE), and has already supported 5,399 animals from 108 herders in the territory.
In a statement sent to the Portuguese agency, the association said that, until Friday, it managed to “cover all the needs that were detected, so none of the herds in the affected area of the PNSE is going hungry, in urgent need or without care. emergency vets.
We successfully distributed 123.2 tons of food to 108 shepherds that we contacted and supported, which represents approximately 5,399 animals supported, spread over 19 parishes in six municipalities,” he added.
According to the association, the work was carried out voluntarily, resorting “only to the good will and dedication of those who were aware” of the cause, “in defense of the continuity of grazing and mountain communities, donating goods and money, or your time and energy.”
Guardians of the Serra da Estrela will continue to forward all donations received in kind to the logistics centers of the municipalities and parishes, “ensuring that they reach those who do not yet have their reserves guaranteed”, and even ensure that “that all the flocks will have the necessary food until the return of the pastures”.
As of today, and in the long term that lies ahead, it is our decision to prioritize the continuation of efforts in the foreseen emergencies and, first of all, the activation of the support plans for urgent actions to stabilize the soils and protect the water lines. he indicated.
In this context, the objectives of the association are to support and develop, together with the affected ejidatarios and producers, actions in the priority areas of intervention, provide information and technical advice to the affected owners when necessary, build the bridge to the associated specialists and monitor and monitor the plans and actions developed by the competent authorities.
It is also our intention to prepare, from now on, the development of nurseries for the germination of native flora, for which we have already established contacts, in order to anticipate the future need for plants for the replacement and sustainable reconversion of the PNSE ” , it reads.
The community also referred that its elements will maintain the “effectiveness presence with the agro-pastoral community of Serra da Estrela, dedicating special attention to the communities affected by the fires this summer”, continuing with the veterinary support, in the preparation of applications, in the recovery of pastures, springs and water lines, and in all the needs that are found on the ground .
Serra da Estrela was affected by a fire that broke out on the 6th in Garrocho, in the municipality of Covilhã (Castelo Branco district) and was dismissed on the 13th.
The fire was reactivated on the 15th and was considered under control again on the 17th at night.
The flames spread to the district of Guarda, in the municipalities of Manteigas, Gouveia, Guarda and Celorico da Beira, and also reached the municipality of Belmonte, in the district of Castelo Branco.
The Government approved this Thursday the declaration of a calamity situation for the PNSE, as requested by the mayors of the affected territories.
The calamity situation was published in the Diário da República and will be in force for a period of one year, with the “objective of restoring normality in the respective geographical area.”
Source: Observadora
