Curral das Freiras Cable Car Project: Livre Warns of Environmental and Geological Risk
The Portuguese political party Livre has strongly criticized a plan to build a cable car in Curral das Freiras. Marta Sofia, the party’s lead candidate described the project as a serious threat to the area’s natural balance. In a public statement, she warned that the construction could damage the island’s landscape, geology, and environment.
Project Costs Rise from €31 to €49 Million
Originally budgeted at €31 million, the cable car project is now estimated to cost €49 million. Marta Sofia pointed out that this increase raises questions about the project’s transparency and planning. She stressed that Curral das Freiras is a region with frequent natural events such as landslides, floods, and wildfires. Introducing permanent infrastructure in such a vulnerable area, she said, is irresponsible and could lead to long-term consequences.
Threat to Endangered Species
One of the main concerns is the risk to the freira-da-madeira (Zino’s petrel), a rare seabird found only in Madeira. This bird has a limited and sensitive habitat that could be disturbed by the noise, lights, and human presence linked to the cable car. Livre argues that this kind of disruption could be dangerous for the survival of the species.
According to Marta Sofia, the necessary environmental review under European law - known as an Appropriate Assessment — has not been carried out properly. She referred to a key ruling by the European Court of Justice (case C-127/02, Waddenzee), which says that when there is scientific doubt about possible harm to nature, authorities must not approve the project.
On the ecological level, the risks are equally alarming. The project threatens the survival of the Zino’s petrel, one of the rarest and most endangered seabirds in the world. It is a vulnerable, protected species with a restricted habitat that does not tolerate disturbances.
Marta Sofia, Livre, Diário de Notícias da Madeira
Livre to Take Case to European Commission
Livre has announced plans to submit a formal complaint to the European Commission. The party wants the Commission to check if Portugal has broken European environmental laws, including the Birds Directive, Habitats Directive, and Environmental Impact Assessment rules. They also raise questions about safety, such as how firefighting helicopters could operate in the area if the cable car is built.
Curral das Freiras is not a setting for high-risk tourist experiments. It is a legacy we must preserve with firmness and conviction.
Marta Sofia, Livre, Diário de Notícias da Madeira
Source: Diário de Notícias da Madeira
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