This protocol was signed on Saturday, 12 April, and the Ministry of Agriculture, José Manuel Fernandes, was present at the signing ceremony. It will span over the six municipalities across three districts in the north of Portugal, including Alijó, Montalegre, Murça e Sabrose, in Vila Real, Mirandela, in Bragança, and Valença, in Viana do Castelo.

The plan to combine these wastelands are being managed by professionals and specialised entities who are familiar with the terrain, “to ensure that forest management helps to prevent forest fires, promotes forest-related activities and combats depopulation of the area, as stated by Álvaro Mendonça, president of the Confederação dos Agricultores de Portugal (CAP).