Proposed Lake Garda Nature Park in Sirmione to Protect Coastal Ecosystem
For years, there has been talk about the need to protect the few truly natural areas remaining along the Brescia shore of Lake Garda, and now, at Punta Grò, a large protected area could be established—the first natural park of Sirmione covering nearly 28,000 square meters.
The proposal comes from the Centro di rilevamento ambientale di Punta Staffalo, and it has been welcomed by the local municipal administration.
So much so that in recent days, Mayor Maurizio Ferrari issued orders to organize an assembly including professional fishermen, boaters, environmental associations, and local administrators to present the entire project.
The scheduled date is April 11, and the meeting will be held in the town hall council chamber starting at 5 p.m.
Motivations and objectives of the project
The idea of turning Punta Grò into a protected area, explain the experts from Cra (Bertini, Martone, Zilioli, and Fila), stems from some essential considerations: the area encapsulates, on a small scale, the most representative elements of the coastal lacustrine ecosystem; the site has long been a reference point for fishing, and it is located in a peaceful position on the outskirts of tourist activities.
But what are, in summary, the goals of the project? First, to enhance an area currently in a state of partial degradation; to expand public green space available for both residents and tourists, fostering a close connection with the nearby beach.
Second, to establish a reference point for fishing and environmental associations, as well as to create an educational field for conservation organizations. Finally, the plan is to develop a new tourist attraction.
Characteristics of the area and planned interventions
The Punta Grò area, for those who may not know, is located on the municipal boundary of Sirmione, which also separates the province of Brescia and Lombardy from the Veronese and Veneto regions.
It boasts an important habitat for fauna and flora. The eastern and western sides are rich in reeds: approximately 13,000 square meters separated from the shoreline by drainage channels.
Many bird species associated with water, amphibians, and fish find refuge and breeding habitats here: a small oasis in a heavily anthropized coastal territory.
Along a strip about 30 meters from the shoreline, there are shrubs, brambles, willows, and large poplars. An environment still of significant interest, though always at risk of being damaged by unfortunate concrete developments or excessive human presence.
The seabed in front of the point, pebbly and sandy, is less deep than the surrounding area and, during the summer, becomes a shallow zone with only a few centimeters of water, reminiscent of the environment of the Isola dei Conigli in Manerba.
Additionally, there is a building dating back to 1840, to be completely renovated to host ethnographic exhibits of the area, including objects, tools, photographs, writings, and archaeological finds.
Other interventions, according to the project drafted by Eugenio Zilioli and his colleagues from the Centro di rilevamento, would focus on restoring the native flora and planting new trees.