The Olbia Group's financiers and Captain Carlo Lazzari were recognized for their operations in environmental protection and conservation. The ceremony took place in Rome recently at the Auditorium of the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (MASE).
These are the Merit Awards for Environmental Merit, the most important recognition the Ministry grants to Italian and foreign citizens, institutions, associations, foundations, and state civilian and military bodies who have achieved particular merit in the field of environmental protection and conservation.
The Mase recognition concerns a campaign, begun in 2019 in Olbia, "aimed at systematically confiscating sand, pebbles, and shells from souvenir-hunting tourists, with tons of material recovered each year." Minister Pichetto Fratin spoke of an important effort "organized, directed, and initiated, activities to protect and safeguard Sardinia's environmental heritage, demonstrating particular sensitivity and attention to the worrying phenomenon of environmental crime."
Sand extraction from beaches is prohibited in Sardinia by Regional Law No. 16 of 2017, which provides for fines of up to €3,000. The Guardia di Finanza, acting as border police, together with other institutional partners, is conducting a surveillance and information campaign at the island's airports and ports. Captain Carlo Lazzari was joined at the ceremony by Chief Warrant Officer Di Grassi and Chief Brigadier Arcobello Varlese.
