Vasco Cordeiro highlights role of Nature Watchers in the preservation of environmental values
The President of the Government stressed on São Jorge the role of Nature Watchers in the preservation of the environmental values of the Region, especially at a time that when there is an expected increase of tourists as a result of the new model of air accessibility to the Azores.
"I believe that this investment will have a positive outcome and that will be possible to reconcile environmental values, with common sense and sensibility, with the generation of wealth and creation of jobs in our Region," said Vasco Cordeiro.
Speaking at the opening of the 1st Regional Meeting of Nature Watchers, the President of the Government stressed that, in many situations, Nature Watchers are the face of the Autonomous Region of the Azores." In this regard, the President of the Government stressed that the "way how they deal with visitors is the way how they will remember those who have the responsibility of preserving the environment."
"The Government of the Azores counts on you and we are here to help the Azores overcome this challenge," said Vasco Cordeiro on the second day of the Government's Statutory Visit to São Jorge Island.
Moreover, the President of the Government emphasised that the Azores took a significant step towards the pursuance of public policies for nature conservation, which began in the last years of the 20th century. Firstly, it started with the inclusion of vast area of land and marine territories in the Natura 2000 Network and, later on, with the creation of Island Natural Parks and the Azores Marine Park.
Overall, the nine Island Natural Parks and the Azores Marine Park, which encompasses 122 protected areas, stretches across an area over 140 thousand hectares.
"The development of a coherent and integrated network of conservation, with such a significant size, was followed by the creation of legislation that supports the regulation of the environment, natural resources and spatial planning. It also required the construction of a series of structures throughout the archipelago that contributed to the qualitative leap in environmental terms," said Vasco Cordeiro.
As a result of this commitment to sustainability, the Azores are known for the high level of environmental quality and the potential of their natural resources. The protected landscape of the Azores is classified as World Heritage, including three UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, which will be joined soon the "Fajãs" of São Jorge. Moreover, the Region also has 13 RAMSAR areas, 12 OSPAR areas, 40 areas belonging to Natura 2000 Networks and Geopark; the latter is integrated into the European and World networks.
Presently, the Nature Watchers force of the Autonomous Region of the Azores is made up of 33 members. This year, the Government will hire another two Nature Watchers - one for Corvo and another for Pico - in order to address current need and stabilise this force with 35 members spread across the archipelago, announced Vasco Cordeiro.
On the occasion, Vasco Cordeiro delivered to São Jorge Natural Park the first vehicle of an electric mobility programme. It involves the purchase of 14 vehicles for the Natural Parks of the Azores, four of which will be bought this year to the islands of São Jorge, Flores, Santa Maria and São Miguel. Next year, another five vehicles will be bought for each of the remaining islands and the remainder will be purchased in 2017 to meet the needs of the largest natural parks.
Each electric vehicle that will replace a diesel one will contribute to an annual reduction of 2.5 tonnes of CO2 emission and, simultaneously, save about 1,500 Euros per year in fuel costs.