Abandoned Frassino Oasis Loses Trail, Endangered Birds at Risk
More of a savannah than an oasis. There is no trace left of the ecological path built last year at the Frassino oasis, south of Peschiera. To proceed, nature photographers— the only visitors other than the Lipu (Italian League for Bird Protection) guards—must carve a path through the overgrown weeds.
For over a year, precisely since May of last year, the oasis has been abandoned after Provincia had spent tens of millions of euros to cut grass and shrubs and to create a trail. The aim was to encourage visitors to the Frassino pond and its shores, including school groups and nature lovers.
Certainly, they would not have been disappointed, as the oasis holds significant naturalistic interest: it is, in fact, the habitat of some very rare birds such as the osprey, the purple heron, and the black-tailed godwit, which are listed on the red list of endangered species. It is therefore logical that the water body irresistibly attracts bird-watching enthusiasts, those who observe birds.
The current state of the oasis
«The Frassino oasis has existed since 1990», affirms Francesco Di Grazia, regional guard manager of Lipu. «Last year, Veneto Agricoltura, the regional company responsible for environmental restoration, had created an ecological pathway and planted hundreds of native saplings. Unfortunately, today nothing remains of that: the young trees have died, and the grass has grown wildly, invading the trail.»
The site is in a state of complete neglect, and it’s worth mentioning that millions of euros have been spent on its upkeep. Nonetheless, Lipu guards continue monitoring, and a few days ago they spotted two poachers, who fled when they saw uniformed volunteers arrive, leaving their equipment on the lakeshore.
But not everyone manages to escape. In July and August alone, Lipu volunteers made nineteen patrols, covering over 2,400 kilometers and issuing fines to fifty-one people—including poachers and unlicensed fishermen.
«Sometimes we also go to the oasis to cut the grass and ensure the signage prohibiting hunting and fishing is maintained», emphasizes one of the volunteers. «It’s a shame that such a beautiful path is kept in such poor condition when it could become a popular destination for nature enthusiasts.»
If the Provincia agreed, we would like to restore the trail, add explanatory signs about the animal species present, and build bird-watching blinds where school groups could learn how to observe birds. » The state of neglect at the Frassino oasis is also admitted by biologist Ivano Confortini, an ichthyologist from the Province.
The environmental condition and future prospects
«The agreement with Veneto Agricoltura, the regional agency that conducts research and also carries out interventions on the territory, lasted three years», explains Camillo Pilati, the ecology councilor. «During this period, a trail was created around the lake, the shoreline was cleared of shrubs, and the northern area, where the large reedbed is located, was recovered.»
What happened afterward is explained by Pilati: «Due to administrative issues, last year the agreement was not renewed, and since the environment is lush, the vegetation has taken over», he says.
«Nonetheless, our goal is to renew the agreement, which will definitely restart at the beginning of winter», he adds. Confortini also points out that the pond is not doing too well, suffering from low water renewal rates.
As a result, below five meters deep, the water lacks oxygen. «That’s why I have developed an oxygenation project using large underwater fans to stir the water. For now, the project remains a plan, but perhaps it will become a reality in the future.»