On Saturday 11 May, at 5pm, in Piazza Cairoli in Velletri, the Forest Protection Committee organizes a demonstration against the deforestation of Monte Artemisio. The event aims to raise awareness among citizens and authorities regarding the serious environmental situation that is occurring due to the massive cutting of trees and will come one week after the walk that took place on Mount Artemisio.
The Committee presented very specific requests in view of the new garrison: “Revocation of the concession to the lumber company accused in a criminal trial: the company accused of cutting too many trees still has a ten-year contract for 1/3 of the forests of Mount Artemisio. The trial is still ongoing and the municipal administration of Velletri should revoke the concession, at least until the final ruling.
On clarity on concessions: the Committee denounces the fact that the Municipality of Velletri has granted 1/3 of the forests of Monte Artemisio for cutting, asking for transparency on the reasons for this choice.
Information to citizens: citizens must be aware of what is happening in the woods surrounding their city and of the environmental consequences caused by indiscriminate deforestation. The destruction of this natural heritage occurs for the profit of a few, while the community loses an important environmental resource.
During the recent trial regarding the cutting of trees in Monte Artemisio (which took place on 12 March), the accusations against the timber company were reiterated in the courtroom of the Court of Velletri. However, the next hearing is set for February 2025, which means the company will continue cutting trees in the meantime.
The Committee underlines how the situation seems to be moving towards a cover-up. The person in charge of supervising the cutting, a Silvano policeman, was removed without explanation and temporarily replaced by an accountant linked to the same accused company. This raises doubts about the effectiveness of controls and the impartiality of the permitting process.
“The situation in the Castelli Romani is worrying: the cutting of coppice, an artificial process of felling trees for the sale of wood, is seriously damaging forest ecosystems. The municipal administrations treat the Park as a cultivation of trees to be exploited, with very few controls on environmental sustainability.
The Forest Protection Committee invites all citizens to participate in the demonstration on Saturday in Piazza Cairoli. During the event, various interventions centered on the issue of deforestation will be exhibited, as well as an exhibition with photos documenting the current destruction of the woods in Velletri and in the other municipalities of the Castelli Romani”.
