Velletri, many on Monte Artemisio at the demonstration of the Committee for the Protection of the Alban Hills Woods

Saturday 4 Maya large group of citizens headed towards the Mount Artemisioresponding to the appeal of Committee for the Protection of the Alban Hills Woods. The sit-in aimed to evaluate the state of the coppice forests and to discuss the risks to the local ecosystem with environmentalist forces and interested citizens. The walk took place along the paths of the Park, in the territory of Velletriwhere the organizers illustrated the archaeological and naturalistic importance of the area, recognized as a site of community interest, and then tried to highlight what, in their opinion, are the damages caused by intensive coppice cutting.

The Committee underlined how the demonstration follows the start of the trial against “the company responsible for managing the cutting of trees in 1/3 of the forests of the entire Monte Artemisio, in the Municipality of Velletri. The accusation against the company, which was awarded the ten-year contract in 2018, is of embezzlement for cutting more trees than permitted. The court has already heard the prosecution witnesses, including the then municipal councilor responsible for the forestry heritage of the Municipality of Velletri (Carlo Quagliaed.) and the former policeman Silvano (Bartoli tree, ed.) responsible for supervising the cutting. Both confirmed the accusations, highlighting how in their opinion trees other than chestnut were also cut, including an oak”.

During the event, participants expressed concern about the fact that the accused company continues to operate on Monte Artemisio, despite the ongoing trial and the fact that the Municipality of Velletri has taken a civil action. The defense requested to hear new witnesses, which led to a postponement of the trial to February 4, 2025, a significant postponement which, apparently, leaves the company free to continue its activities.

During the sit-in, the Committee and the demonstrators once again requested the municipal administration of Velletri to immediately withdraw the concession to the company, until the Court’s ruling.

Particularly appreciated was the intervention of the agronomist Fabrizio Dezi, who the demonstrators “recognised” as the technician who drew up the cutting plans for the Municipality and technical coordinator of the company, who presented himself to dialogue with the demonstrators and explain in detail how cuts take place. “Showing availability and competence, and enlightening those present on cutting techniques, Dezi did not deny the sanctions received from the company, but tried to explain in detail how cutting activities are usually carried out, giving useful information for those present to know” .

The situation on Mount Artemisio is evidently complex and requires continuous attention. The protesters did not fail to highlight that in the Park “tons of waste are spilled and highways are opened to facilitate the cutting of trees, with significant damage”.

The Committee for the Protection of the Woods of the Alban Hills recalled how it recently made formal reports to the Park Authority, the Forestry Carabinieri and the Municipality of Rocca di Papa, but did not receive satisfactory responses.

On Saturday 11 May, the protesters will return to Velletri, this time in the historic center, for a public city meeting. The objective is to continue to raise public awareness and push the authorities to intervene to protect the woods and natural heritage of the Alban Hills.