PS-Madeira Proposes Registration Exemption for Residents on Hiking Trails
Madeira GuideThe PS-Madeira party has proposed a new legislation to exempt Madeira Island residents from pre-registration for recommended hiking trails, emphasizing free access to natural spaces.
The PS-Madeira party is advocating for legislation to exempt residents of Madeira Island from the mandatory pre-registration required for access to the island's recommended hiking trails. This proposal is set to be presented in the Assembleia Legislativa da Madeira, aiming to ensure that locals can enjoy their natural surroundings freely, without being subject to entry limits designed for tourists.
The initiative emerges after multiple unsuccessful attempts by the party, including inquiries by deputy Sílvia Silva to the regional Secretary of Tourism, Environment, and Culture. The lack of satisfactory responses has prompted the PS to take further action. Deputy Silva expressed concerns over the government's failure to protect residents' rights to move freely in their own territory.
The proposal addresses the potential impact of resident hikers on the trails' carrying capacity, which, according to Silva, should already have been assessed based on existing studies by the Executive. Silva questioned the proportion of trail users who are Madeira residents and argued for a dynamic approach to managing trail access, allowing adaptation based on real-time monitoring.
Silva criticized the current management of the hiking trails, stating that the rules have been applied too rigidly without considering successful international models that could be adapted to Madeira's unique conditions. She emphasized the importance of safeguarding residents' rights while also respecting the ownership of properties the trails cross.
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Madeira Guide
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