The President of the Government announced today that over million Euros will be invested this year in contracts for the preservation of the traditional Azorean landscapes, covering more than 400 beneficiaries and an area over 700 hectares on several islands.
"We believe that we have here, on Graciosa, and throughout all the islands of our Region one of the most important assets for our future development, which is our natural heritage," said Vasco Cordeiro.
These support measures fall within the incentive system provided by the Azorean Government for the maintenance of traditional landscapes located in classified areas throughout the Region, namely vineyards and orchards in "currais" (small stone enclosures), coastal areas ("fajãs) and terraces on several islands.
Vasco Cordeiro spoke at the beginning of the statutory visit to Graciosa during the signing ceremony of six contracts for this purpose. They will cover 30 beneficiaries and a total area of about 19 hectares on this island.
According to him, these contracts contribute to the preservation of traditional landscapes for the development and strengthening of the tourism sector, through the Region's own funds directed towards this goal.
"We are reconciling, through these contracts, various interests: the interest of those who own land plots and the interest of the Region to have, beyond production, a territory with appealing characteristics," said the government official.
In his speech, the President of the Government also emphasised the Government's clear option "to take care of what is ours in terms of landscape, production fabric and future development of tourism," through these contracts but also through other mechanisms directed to production, such as the VITIS programme.