Manifesto: For a living territory, NO to the wildlife reserve
Faced with the project to create a large wildlife reserve in the municipality of Sant Sadurní d’Osormort, the individuals and groups who oppose it want to clearly express our concern and our positioning.
This is not a minor project. We are talking about an intervention that could occupy a very significant part of the territory, introduce species with a great ecological impact, and profoundly transform the environmental, social, and landscape balance of the municipality.
At a time when the incorporation of this space into the Natura 2000 Network and the possible creation of a natural park are being considered, we consider it especially grave to promote initiatives that may contradict the objectives of territory conservation and protection.
European, state, and Catalan regulations are clear: any project affecting areas of high ecological value must demonstrate, in a rigorous and indisputable way, that it will not cause damage to habitats or protected species. This requirement is not optional.
Therefore, we denounce:
- The lack of sufficient guarantees about the real impact of the project
- The risks associated with the introduction of large predators
- The possible fragmentation of habitats and alteration of existing ecosystems
- The increase in human pressure and the risk of overcrowding
- The added danger in a forest area especially sensitive to fires
- The uncertainty about the real welfare of animals in a “semi-freedom” model
Likewise, we demand total transparency in all administrative processes, access to all information, and scrupulous respect for public participation mechanisms.
Any irregularity or lack of rigor in these processes can be subject to challenge. This is not just a technical debate. It is a debate about the model of territory we want. About whether we prioritize real conservation or exploitation under apparently sustainable labels.
For all these reasons, we announce that we will use all available legal and democratic means to:
- Present founded allegations in all procedures
- Demand rigorous and independent environmental studies
- Challenge any decision that does not comply with current regulations
- Mobilize social and institutional support in defense of the territory
"The future of a territory cannot be decided without guaranteeing its effective protection."
"No project can be justified under the discourse of sustainability if it does not withstand a rigorous analysis."
"Defending the territory is not an option: it is a responsibility."