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.
