Sassolungo:thousands of citizens defend the wonder of the Dolomites from speculation

It has almost reached 50 thousand signatures petition launched on the change.org platform by the Save the Dolomites – Nosc Cunfin group, for the protection of Sassolungo, a mountain peak located in the Dolomites, between Val Gardena and Val di Fassa.This wonder of nature (it is a unique fossil atoll), rich in biodiversity, is in fact threatened by privatization and overbuilding projects devoted to profit.In particular, there is the construction of a new connection system in the pipeline, built as part of the Val Gardena – Alpe di Siusi – Ronda project, through which even more tourists could arrive in this area.The renewal of the cableway leading to the Forcella di Sassolungo is also planned, the capacity of which will be doubled, with the consequent expansion of the mountain station, located in the heart of the massif, which should become up to four times larger.“That means it will have to be a part of the rock face was removed and several cubic meters removed" reports the association.

As explains Mountain Wilderness, the concession for the ski lift that leads to the Forcella will expire in autumn 2024, which is why the construction of a plant to replace the current one is planned:“If this project could not be realized, the concession for the ski lift would be lost and the lift would have to be removed” reports the non-profit organization.The intention is to build 9 pylons with a height between 18 and 22 meters (the current one is 7-8 metres), including a reinforced concrete V-shaped pile for the supply rollers to the mountain station and thus increase the capacity of the plant to transport 480 people per hour (compared to the current 230), for a total of approximately 3 thousand per day.The total volume of the planned upstream station would pass from the current 768 cubic meters to 2654, while the valley station would reach 13 thousand cubic meters.The start of the works that will "disrupt this area" is "imminent", as reported by Nosc Cunfin.It is an area that "guarantees drinking water for 7 thousand inhabitants, with wetlands with high biodiversity and which represents a habitat for protected flora and fauna".The project, they report, will be financed with 45% of public funds, an "incredible favor" intended for investors, the consequences of which will be paid by the population and the environment.

Nosc Cunfin's request, therefore, is "a definitive YES to the protection of the Sassolungo group within a natural park - a long-awaited decision - and a firm NO to the construction of new infrastructure works in this area, unique in the its kind together with the surrounding Alpine landscape".Last September 14, the Provincial Council held decided unanimously to approve an amendment in order to initiate a participatory process between the Province and the Municipalities involved for the protection of the area.Paul Köllensperger, of the political group Team K (among those who promoted the motion), stated that «It is not only an ecological and landscape issue, but also economical:the exasperated exploitation of our mountains and their slopes threatens their tourist attractiveness for the future.The beauty of our territory is a treasure to be preserved for future generations.We don't need any more Disneylands in the Dolomites."Although this represents a step forward, underlines Nosc Cunfin, it does not mean that one will be implemented real protection of the territory.

As explained by Gianluca Vignoli, president of Mountain Wilderness, you need a «change of pace» in the policy of overbuilding of the mountains.«The current plant was born in a historical context different from that of today:we should have the courage to remove the old iron, rather than attacking an area where there is still a minimum of wilderness, wild, unlike the lower part of Val Gardena where facilities, ski slopes, hotels have had an impact on the territory.Many people would be even more willing to walk up the Forcella if the lift was no longer there."

[by Valeria Casolaro]