Public consultation opens on Serra da Estrela conservation plan

The ICNF has launched a public consultation, running until 16 July, on the management plan for the Serra da Estrela Special Conservation Zone, part of the Natura 2000 network. First drafted in 2022, the plan was revised after assessing the impact of major wildfires that hit the area in 2022 and 2025. It covers roughly 88,536 hectares across seven municipalities in the Guarda, Castelo Branco and Coimbra districts, including Portugal's highest peak, Torre. Measures proposed include restoring river ecosystems, sustainable grassland management, wildfire planning aligned with conservation goals, and stronger enforcement. Documents and comment forms are available on the Participa.pt portal.