“More work needs to be done to restore freshwater ecosystems and the natural functions of rivers” (EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030). To put these recommendations into practice, the Coordination of the Cuneo Environmental Associations (Pro Natura, Legambiente, Lipu, Cuneo Birding and Italia Nostra) and the Gesso and Stura River Park are organizing the 3 May, at 3 pm, at the Casa del Fiume – River Park Gesso and Stura, in Piazzale Walther Cavallera 19 Cuneo, the conference “Once upon a time… the river – Past, present and future of a vital resource”.
The many problems that afflict this precious asset will be addressed: the increasingly marked lack of water, with the consequent repercussions on river ecosystems; the poor management and exploitation of watercourses, such as dredging, cleaning, clearing of riparian strips, also following flood events; the critical issues linked to exemptions on water withdrawals for irrigation and hydroelectric purposes, and, sometimes, failure to respect ecological flow.
After the introduction by Domenico Sanino, president of Pro Natura Cuneo, the problems, good practices and solutions will be addressed by various qualified speakers: prof. Stefano Fenoglio, Dbios/Alpstream University of Turin, will discuss “Evolution of the relationship between Man and River”; the doctor Andrea Mandarino, researcher at the University of Genoa (DISTAV) and CIRF advisor (Italian Center for River Redevelopment) will talk about “Rivers and streams: geomorphological aspects and management considerations”; the director of the Gesso and Stura River Park, eng. Massimiliano Galli will address the theme “The Park with the city inside: a shared project for the protection of water and the environment”.
Following the reports of Dr. Stefano Bovero, independent researcher in herpetology and ichthyology, “Zirichiltaggi”, Sardinia Wildlife Conservation NGO, Sassari on “Alpine ichthyofauna at the dawn of the third millennium”; of the engineer Marino Gandolfo, Water Office of the Province of Cuneo on “Protection of underground aquifers and recharge of aquifers – the ALCOTRA SeTe Project”, and Dr. Maurizio Battegazzore, professional director of ARPA Piedmont, Cuneo Provincial Department, on “The elements of biological quality in the monitoring of Piedmontese watercourses”.
Followed by debate and conclusions on a rich program that aims to reiterate the fundamental importance of this resource, as stated in the incipit of the “International Day of Action for Rivers”: “Healthy rivers are the lifeblood of our planet. Rivers and their watersheds – and the rich variety of life they support – provide people with drinking water, food, medicine, building materials, silt for land restoration, and more. They mitigate floods and droughts, support forests, recharge groundwater reserves, support fisheries and provide transportation.”
The event is part of the program of the Civic Week of the city of Cuneo carried out as part of the Lungo le vie dell’acqua project (Italian Agency for International Cooperation tender) in partnership with the cities of Rovereto and Mantua. The conference is part of the training courses for Italian journalists planned by the ODG of Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta.
Free entry, subject to availability.
Editorial board
The dates of the event: House of the River, 3pm
