Tavira and São Brás councils have reported that there have been hardly any new trees planted after the devastating fires of 2012.
Over 24,000 hectares were affected in one of the worst fires ever seen in the eastern region of the Algarve and the government pledged money for rebuilding affected properties and to set up a support system for those wanting to replant trees.
Despite the snail-like house repair and rebuild programme all the damaged houses are said to have been made habitable again, some were entirely rebuilt, but "In the area of reforestation we can say that little has been done" according to the mayor of São Brás.
Recently an application had been approved for financial assistance for the repair of roads, water pipes and roadsides but "for reforestation where trees have been burned, nothing has been achieved,” according to Mayor Vitor Guerreiro who added that despite the technical support given by the local authority for applications for replanting trees, the "bureaucratic difficulties were immense" resulting in people simply giving up.
In October 2012, three months after the fire, the government formalised financial assistance to the tune of €1.5 million for Tavira and São Brás for protection measures but not for reforestation which is a key part of the local ecology on which many agricultural workers depend.
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But alas the reforestation I have seen , and on a grand scale , is alfarobba , in vast amounts.
None of the true forestry , wild forestry has been replaced , just pension stock , which the council HAS ponied up the money for , well gave them free saplings.
But there is two ways to look at that , if its their pension in 20 years , or their sons and daughters , then at least some husbandry of the land should be evident from then onwards.After all it was the lack of controlling the weeds and grasses over years that led to it , as was the last two great fires.
What the council needs to do to protect the land is less stringent application of the non simming pool laws ,and this is from one of the bomberios!
But what exactly is the status now of planting or re-planting in eucalyptus ?
One story going the rounds in Central Portugal a few years ago was that eucalyptus had 'finally' been phased out nationwide. Not least because it is a petrol can waiting to explode, and an alien species which has no natural Iberian wildlife benefit.
But the elite families are all rich eucalyptus forestry owners AND loggers and so clearance of broadleaf via 'convenient fires' and replanting with eucalyptus - funded by Brussels - is known to have continued unchecked.
So ... what is the status of eucalyptus now ??