There is zero tolerance for the undisciplined mushroom hunters who crowd the woods of Gennargentu. In Desulo, the Municipality is arming itself with paper and taking cover with an “anti-boorish” ordinance that will be effective in a few days .
Uprooted fences, collapsed dry stone walls, waste and photos published on social media (with the locations marked on the map) were the straw that broke the camel's back. Mayor Gian Cristian Melis is a raging river (and waiting for specific regional legislation to be implemented), he says he is ready to do it himself: " What happened in our countryside is unacceptable " thunders the mayor. "Rivers of ill-mannered people have plundered everything they found on their path, from mushrooms to medicinal herbs and more. Some even arrived with refrigerated trucks, proving that there is a hidden business around."
Coldiretti: a clear law is needed
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Hence the idea of acting independently: " We cannot wait for the Region to introduce licenses and rules on weight ," adds Melis. "We have been asking for it loudly for years, but nothing has been done: therefore we will do it ourselves, communicating our rules to the competent authorities so that they can implement checks."
Hence the clarifications: "Foreigners and families are always welcome," the mayor clarifies, "as long as they respect the environment and the locals who sacrifice themselves all year round to keep their land in the best possible condition. It is unacceptable to see how some, with arrogance, break down fences, challenge the owners and steal everything, then publishing their exploits on social media . Now that's enough, public order is at risk."
The process of the measure that will be introduced within the week is already clear: "There will be a specific act", concludes Melis, "which will establish a limit on the weight and access to the properties that are currently engaged in the chestnut harvest. Those who violate certain provisions will not have to complain if they have to pay heavy fines. We have no other solutions against those who do not respect our forests".