The Parra Trail is a project by the ICNF (Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests) aimed at highlighting an environmentally rich area that has been affected by wildfires in the recent past. Thanks to its scenic and environmental features, it is one of the most representative hiking routes in the noteworthy yet often overlooked Serra Algarvia. We had the privilege of speaking with Castelão Rodrigues, ICNF’s regional director, to discover more about the motivations behind the creation of this commendable initiative.
The creation of the Parra Trail is an example not only of ICNF’s intervention in promoting the natural capital of the territory but also in promoting the well-being of the population. How does the public’s use of the Parra Trail contribute to the preservation of the site’s natural values?
In an humanized territory with low resilience that is susceptible to various disturbances affecting its productivity, human presence is crucial for the recovery and preservation of the ecosystem. Regular and respectful visits can protect the area, alert authorities to fires, prevent poaching, and reduce illegal activities. By attracting local residents and people from urban centers, both national and foreign, we raise awareness about the importance of maintaining these areas. This helps ensure better quality water, a cleaner atmosphere, balanced temperatures, increased biodiversity, protection of natural heritage, and, importantly, knowledge of these rarely visited areas, highlighting their significant impact on urban centers.
What were the main environmental purposes behind the creation of the Parra Trail? And what is the specific importance of restoring ecosystems like the one found in this new hiking route?
The Parra Trail was a long-planned hiking route. The constant loss of vegetation due to wildfires and unsuitable practices reduces plant and animal diversity. Presenting the territory to the public for its beauty and biodiversity, as well as its fragility, can raise community awareness and encourage contributions towards a resilient territory that benefits society. It is essential to integrate the population into the rural environment, gradually making them feel a part of it. This was the main motivation for creating the trail, which includes 10 observation points for flora (such as Heather, Lavender and Strawberry Tree) and fauna (including Red Deer, Wild Boar, Red Partridge, and Bonelli’s Eagle), rest areas, a picnic area, and a branch of the Odelouca dam. This also showcases the restoration work done after the forest fires. Raising awareness about the Algarve’s interior, with its steep slopes and poor soils, demonstrates the importance of ecosystem restoration, especially post-fire, and highlights good practices implemented and to be implemented.
Forest fires and hydrological drought have been chronic problems faced by the Algarve in recent years. How do initiatives like the creation of the Parra Trail align with mitigating these problems?
The Parra Trail does not directly mitigate these chronic problems. But, as it happens with any such ailments, reducing impacts and constant monitoring to avoid greater damage is always beneficial. Increased interest in the region can draw attention to existing problems and difficulties, promoting alternatives to support these areas and adapting to the heterogeneity of our country. By bringing people to know the territory, it can present its voice and make its plea for intervention and recovery heard through the actions of visitors and entities in the region. However, it is necessary to show the impact of wildfires and drought, raising awareness during the hike or through a visit to Herdade da Parra, so visitors become more conscious of the limitations and feel a sense of responsibility to change habits and concepts.
Are there plans for new trails or similar projects in the Algarve’s interior? How can ICNF’s lessons from the Parra Trail influence future projects?
The ICNF is committed to showcase the territory and the various public areas it manages. These areas, managed by a single entity responsible for their protection and continuity, not only preserve these spaces for forest maintenance and protection, many of them with protected habitats, but also aim to promote sustainable and protective management practices of the ecosystem. This helps educate all citizens to enjoy nature responsibly. We hope this alert for forest protection is just the beginning of many similar initiatives. We are pleased with the numerous visits to the Parra Trail since its creation. With funding sources like those that enabled the establishment of this initiative, we can create more trails in the various forests managed by the ICNF.
Thank you!
