David v. Goliath in Monchique

In the “green” corner is David - the entire community, backed by their municipal authority, local businesses and environmental protection agencies.

In the “orange” corner we have Goliath - central government lobbied by national and international consortiums

Although far from democratic, the cold hard truth is that even when an entire population is up-in-arms against a plan it considers devastating for the rural beauty of the environment, there is almost nothing that can be done if central Government decides to approve that plan.

“That’s why it is so important for people to show up in force on Thursday,” explained Marisa Sampaio from the office of Monchique Mayor Dr Rui André.

“We need the government representative coming to the meeting to see the strength of feeling within the community”. “We also need to demystify certain ambiguities”, borough geographer Dr Eduardo Duarte added.

“There are people who think there may be economic benefits to the community in this plan – which of course there aren’t. There are only negative environmental impacts”.

Indeed as local tourist businesses point out, there may be LESS employment opportunities for Monchique if the plans get the go-ahead. At stake is a swathe of unspoilt countryside on the southern slopes of Picota.

In March, two national conglomerates entered the race for the rights to prospect feldspar – a mineral used in the ceramics industry – on two separate sites along Picota. If successful, almost 3.000.000 square metres of the hillside would be gouged out to make way for quarries – and the door would then be left open to more companies, more quarries…

In an emotive public meeting some weeks ago - where Mayor André publicly signed the petition against any quarry plans - Eduardo Duarte told the audience: “Monchique will have its guts laid bare… instead of showing the world its clothes, it will show its bones - and less and less people will come here”.

Quarrying would decimate the area’s water supply by “reducing and contaminating” the five principle water lines, there would be noise pollution, air pollution, ravages to flora and fauna and indirectly fire risks would also be heightened, he said.

“Environmental damage would far outweigh any economic benefits,” Dr Duarte stressed.

Thus Thursday’s meeting has been called by the Municipal Assembly, and is billed as an occasion for “public clarification”.

“Citizens will be able to confront the government representative – and hopefully find out what the department’s intention really is,” he concluded.