It was some botanical experts who came to Punta Molentis to inspect the miracle of nature, the spectacle of rebirth after the fire last July, who reported the felling of some junipers in a protected area.

Instead, it was Forestry Corps officials who confirmed that the concession holder for the kiosk on the restricted-access beach in Villasimius had authorization to clean up the back of the beach, but not to cut down vegetation in a SIC (Site of Community Importance) and SPA (Special Protection Area) area according to European standards.

The reliefs

The rangers filed a report with the Cagliari Public Prosecutor's Office, citing the kiosk's owner, Riccardo Fanni, from Cagliari, for habitat degradation in a protected area, a crime carrying a sentence of up to eighteen months in prison. The incident occurred in the parking lot behind Punta Molentis beach, the site of a disastrous fire last July. In addition to defacing the area and causing significant environmental damage, it also destroyed dozens of parked cars, owned by tourists visiting this enchanting corner of Sardinia or rented cars. The rangers have been investigating the incident since last July. During the investigation into the arson offense, the municipality's in-house company, Villasimius Service, which manages the parking lot, was fined €10,000 by the Forestry Corps for violating regional fire safety regulations, specifically "the lack of safety measures in the parking lot, built in contact with vegetation."

The investigations

Villasimius Mayor Gianluca Dessì addressed the investigation into last summer's arson during one of the most recent town council meetings. "The investigation is still ongoing, but it seems certain that it was arson," he said. "We are still waiting for compensation from the Region; we've spent €350,000. In the future, we will have to address the issue of expropriation of the land near Punta Molentis beach."

The fire that devastated the hill in the Riu Trottu area began on July 27th. Thanks to a fortunate combination of circumstances (and a massive rescue effort, including many volunteers), there were no casualties or injuries.

(Unioneonline)

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