Land Rights and Industrial Development Clash in Mala’s Ice Cream Factory Plans

Contrasts between ice cream factories and civicate rights

Ice cream factories and civicate rights are at odds with each other. At first glance, there appears to be no connection between the two. However, in Mala, the industrial area of Nago, land designated for a new plant (specifically an ice cream factory) must first have the ancient civicate rights eliminated. Essentially, these rights have always been the acknowledgment of citizens’ right to enjoy the fruits of certain parcels of municipal land.

Typically, these are areas that were once considered anything but fortunate, but were once important because they were used for chopping wood, gathering grass for rabbits, and freely grazing goats. This burden, in any case, effectively restricts the land in Mala — even today, since grazing has ceased — preventing any other use. Yet, these rights are held in high regard, especially when they are managed by a prosecutor of the republic acting as a deputy commissioner on civicate rights.

Procedures and disputes over civicate rights

Of course, it is possible to free a parcel from these rights, provided that another parcel is encumbered with the same restriction and always with the approval of the prosecutor. This operation, however, is easier to describe than to execute. It appears that a new area had been identified for the factory. The municipal council (with the four councillors opposed, led by Ennio Bertolini) had replaced the original site with an equivalent municipal area (5,000 square meters) above Prealta, which is the mountain area adjacent to the Torbole power plant.

Unfortunately, after the fact, it was discovered that civicate rights also existed on that land. Essentially, everything had to be redone, due to a glaring mistake that everyone condemns, with time running out since the ice cream company seems eager to move in. However, it appears there are no other free areas available: only one site deemed suitable by the municipal administration, which is Castel Penede park.

Political opinions and future solutions

The majority agrees, while the four councillors led by Bertolini remain opposed, as does Cirillo Tonelli. The latter opposes the choice of the park. It seems incompatible, in a way, to reconcile history and culture with civicate rights. And perhaps, in the future, there may be a need to return to grazing goats.

Tonelli also announces that he will file a petition as a citizen with the civicate rights commissioner. The appeal from Parolari to let it go does not seem to have any effect. There is even community interest at stake, should the new plant not be built.