Sirmione Launches Environmental Monitoring Center and Sustainability Initiatives
It was born in Sirmione the environmental monitoring center (C.R.A.) for the control of the environment of the entire Garda Basin, especially in the southern area. In recent days, the ribbon cutting ceremony took place at the new Punta Staffalo headquarters, located between the “Catullo” Thermal Baths and the Grotte, in the historic center, in the presence of regional environmental councilor, Franco Nicoli Cristiani.
The scientific facility, directed by Eugenio Zilloli from the National Research Council (CNR), will focus on acquiring, archiving, and disseminating environmental data relevant to the lower Garda area. Among its initiatives are the meteorological bulletin, analyses of bathing water quality data, and the publication of pocket guides with specific routes to enhance the lake area.
The Punta Staffalo center will also enable schools to access the database. In fact, Sirmione’s state middle school, which will soon be joined by schools from lower Garda veronese, has already begun an interesting collaborative study.
Environmental Activities and Projects
The C.R.A. will conduct activities useful for monitoring and preventing events capable of altering the natural characteristics of this environment and for its safeguarding. Another important function is the dissemination of weather data and forecasts in hotels, campsites, seaside resorts, and tourist information offices.
Therefore, this service is already a very useful resource for tourists this year. Meanwhile, the Sirmione administration is looking ahead with its project of “electrification” of transportation within the historic center.
After electric scooters, delivered to residents and shop owners (also used for urban waste collection), the “fullelectric” project started on March 15th: the transport of goods via silent, pollution-free trucks.
Maritime Transport and Sustainability Projects
The most significant innovation concerns the possible vaporization of a ship capable of transporting over 300 people from Colombare and Lugana to a dock near the historic center. The goal is to encourage drivers, during the summer season, to leave their cars in the outskirts and reach the town center aboard a boat powered by electric motors.
The Region has allocated ten billion lire to finance the purchase of electric vehicles. Sirmione will present a project to fund the acquisition of a ship.
It’s too early to know if it will succeed, but a few years ago, talking about electric scooters or postal vans seemed like a joke. Today, it no longer is.
Moreover, the town, enclosed within the walls of the Scaliger castle and the Grotte di Catullo, is becoming unlivable. On certain summer days, when the heatwave hits without wind, pollution levels far exceed the danger threshold for health.
Therefore, these experiments and projects are more than welcome.
